Police use UI student's social media to bring charge related to campus protests

Jul. 10—URBANA — A University of Illinois student stands charged of a felony after investigators used video surveillance and her social media account to allegedly tie her to a pro-Palestinian demonstration that took place on campus last April.

Yafa K. Issa, 18, of Savoy, was arraigned on Tuesday before Champaign County Judge Brett Olmstead on one count of mob action. She faces one to three years in prison if convicted of the Class 4 felony.

Demonstrators erected tents near the Alma Mater statue in the early morning of April 26, violating campus policies regarding "outdoor displays" and "expressive activity on campus," Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz said.

University officials apparently informed the group that they were violating university policies, asked them to leave, and said they would be charged with trespassing if they remained.

University staff then removed the structures with assistance from the University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD), despite resistance from the demonstrators. However, demonstrators did not leave and continued to erect structures.

Demonstration organizers sent out social media messages calling for others to come and "defend the camp," and people brought more tents, building materials, food supplies, goggles and other items to the group throughout the day, Rietz said.

There were an estimated 200-250 demonstrators on campus around 3:15 p.m. when 16 UIPD officers assisted staff from the university's Facilities and Services Department to remove the structures.

As the officers and facilities workers approached, demonstrators apparently locked arms and formed a human-chain around the tents, preventing anyone from entering the area.

The demonstrators then physically pushed back at officers, and used materials — including a large sheet of plywood, drywall boards, umbrellas, etc. — to push officers away. Demonstrators also grabbed at officers, shoved them and attempted to strike at them using the objects, Rietz said.

One facilities staff member told UIPD that he was concerned a demonstrator could remove an officer's weapon or that someone would be trampled if knocked down, Rietz said. Police ultimately decided it was unsafe to get to the tents and retreated with university staff.

Demonstrators filmed the incident with their cellphones throughout the day and later posted videos to social media, Rietz said. UIPD investigators used those videos to identify people involved in the alleged mob action.

Investigators allegedly identified Issa on a video locking arms with other demonstrators to prevent officers and university staff from getting to the tents.

Investigators also identified Issa on video joining the group of demonstrators holding a large sheet of plywood and using it as a shield to push law enforcement away from the tents, Rietz said.

Issa was seen on video holding a cellphone with a "unique case and wearing a unique necklace," and investigators used social media to locate her Instagram profile, which contained an image of her holding the same phone and wearing the same necklace, Rietz said.

Investigators then searched university databases and allegedly confirmed that Issa's student ID photo matched the person seen on body camera and social media video. On June 26, police located Issa and issued her a notice to appear in court.

The Champaign County State's Attorney's Office has charged two other people for their alleged role in the campus demonstrations.

Christopher K. Zelle, 37, of Champaign, was arraigned on April 29 on two counts of mob action and one count of aggravated battery to a peace officer. George A. Vassilatos, 25, of Champaign, was arraigned on May 1 on one count of mob action and one count of obstructing a peace officer.

Zelle faces three to seven years in prison if convicted of aggravated battery to a peace officer, a Class 2 felony. Vassilatos faces one to three years in prison if convicted of mob action, a Class 4 felony.

Vassilatos is set to appear in court later this month, Zelle is set to appear in court in August and Issa is set to next appear in court in September.

"This is an ongoing investigation," Rietz said." UIPD continues to work to identify those involved and more cases can be expected."