The ASU Police Department arrested two UNITE HERE Local 11 union organizers for trespassing Monday outside Desert Financial Arena before the undergraduate commencement ceremony.
Victoria Stahl, a communications organizer at UNITE HERE Local 11, said in a written statement that the two organizers, who participated in a protest regarding contract negotiations with Aramark, were charged with trespassing and released from jail Tuesday around 11 a.m., she stated.
According to release questionnaires from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, the two organizers were charged with criminal trespass in the third degree, a misdemeanor, after not leaving University property despite several warnings from officers. A spokesperson for ASU PD confirmed the arrests.
"We condemn the actions of Arizona State University Police following the arrest of union organizers—a veteran and a former ASU Aramark worker—during a peaceful protest at ASU's graduation ceremonies Monday evening," Stahl said in a written statement. "Instead of reaching a fair contract that guarantees dignity, respect, and fair working conditions for food service workers, ASU and Aramark responded by allowing the arrest of a community member exercising their right to peaceful protest."
Aramark did not respond to a request for comment about the arrests.
READ MORE: ASU dining hall workers strike in Tempe, Phoenix amid Aramark contract negotiations
In the statement, Stahl also said ASU Police has grown "increasingly aggressive in their actions towards protesting workers."
As an example, Stahl alleged an ASU PD assistant police chief driving an SUV almost hit protesters using a crosswalk on May 8.
A spokesperson for ASU PD said in a written statement that officials are aware of the video from the May 8 incident and the claims surrounding the event, which is under review in accordance with department policy.
"Universities should be places where free speech, peaceful protest, and worker organizing should be protected and encouraged. Students and workers should not have to face intimidation or threats from university police," Stahl stated. "These actions are unacceptable and represent a disturbing attempt to silence workers and their supporters as they continue fighting for fairness and accountability on ASU's campus."
READ MORE: Downtown ASU Panda Express workers walk out due to 'non-functioning air conditioning'
The union will be looking into legal options available to them for next steps, Stahl stated.
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Natalia Jarrett, Kate Gore and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at elbradfo@asu.edu and follow @emmalbradford__ on X.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
Emma Bradford is a senior reporter for The State Press. She has previously worked at the Cronkite News Washington, D.C. bureau as a politics and money reporter. Bradford is currently also an editorial intern for AZ Big Media. She is in her fifth Semester with The State Press, previously working on the politics desk as both a part-time and a lead reporter.
