'It's not going to deter us': UW-Milwaukee students cited for disorderly conduct during June meeting plead not guilty

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A group of University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (UWM) students pled not guilty Thursday morning, nearly two months after they were arrested for disorderly conduct during a Board of Regents meeting.

In a statement provided June 6, officials confirmed UWM police arrested and cited seven people for disruptive behavior that continued despite requests to stop.

The students were a part of multiple UWM groups, including the Popular University for Palestine Coalition, Students for a Democratic Society, and Young Democratic Socialists.

“We were wrongfully arrested on June 6 after speaking up in solidarity with Palestine," said Kayla Patterson, a member of several of the above groups. “We were doing that as an escalation of sorts, trying to make sure we get action on our demands following the agreement that we reached after the encampment.”

In a news conference held after the intake hearings had concluded, Patterson told media their upcoming legal battles are worth sharing their messages.

“These charges and petty attempts to silence us will not stop us from doing what is right," Patterson said. “Understanding that this is not the end of the struggle and regardless of if the charges get dropped or if we have to take that fine and seek community support for that payment or what have you, it’s not really going to deter us from keeping action up on campus and on the community.”

These students are also part of the coalition behind a recent Instagram post, that has since been removed, under the handle @uwm4palicoalition.

The post said, "any organization or entity that supports Israel is not welcome at UWM" and specifically named Hillel and the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.

"Any organization that has not separated themselves from Israel will be treated accordingly as extremist criminals," the post continued.

As a result, UWM announced they suspended five student organizations associated with the coalition and denounced the post and any form of antisemitism.

Hillel and the Milwaukee Jewish Federation also released separate statements, saying in part that they "are grateful for how seriously this issue is being taken and appreciate UWM's swift statement."

When the cited students were asked the address the Instagram post Thursday, Patterson said they've "always experienced Jewish support in the community."

"We still maintain that, even though this," Patterson continued, before directing further questions to an upcoming news conference and rally held on Monday, Aug. 5 starting at 3:30 p.m. at Gordon Park.

The group will also return to court on Sept. 19 at 1:30 p.m.