ASU Protest Encampment

The ASU Office of General Counsel sought and ensured a thorough outside review of concerns surrounding an unauthorized encampment on the ASU Alumni Lawn in April 2024. That review is now complete. The university is providing this update on key findings.

• ASU responded on Nov. 22 , 2024 to a Department of Justice inquiry regarding the ASU Police Department’s search of arrestees wearing hijabs. The review found that arrests were handled in a respectful and appropriate manner. ASU has taken additional steps to prepare for similar events in the future, including developing and distributing specific guidance to officers for conducting searches of arrestees who observe the religious practice of wearing hijabs. The university is committed to protecting the rights and religious freedoms of all students, while ensuring the safety of its community through well-established police procedures. 
  • See the ASU findings sent to DOJ in November 2024
  • See the DOJ compliance review closure letter sent to ASU in April 2025

• ASU on Dec. 2, 2024 responded to the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST) regarding two citizen complaints against the ASU Police Department related to the unauthorized encampment. The complaints surrounded interactions with demonstrators, damage to a tent and removal of hijabs following guidelines established by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. 

   

  See the findings sent to AZPOST (138.55 KB)
• ASU also referred allegations of possible criminal misconduct involving then-ASU Police Chief Michael Thompson to an outside police agency for review. ASU placed Thompson on administrative leave, and he retired from ASU while the investigation was pending. The Scottsdale Police Department completed its investigation and referred the matter to the Pinal County Attorney’s Office. The office declined to bring charges, stating that there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction.