At approximately 7:18 a.m., the University of Iowa Police Department became aware of a potential encampment at Hubbard Park.
The University of Iowa Police Department responded and informed those setting up the camp of university policies. Those who set up the encampment were told if they did not remove the materials within 30 minutes, UIPD would remove them, and they could be placed under arrest.
The group then continued building a fence to reinforce the camp with chicken wire, wood pallets, plywood with handles, and a sheet of corrugated metal. When this occurred, UIPD made the decision to immediately enforce university policy and began to remove the materials.
UIPD then provided one final warning that the organizers needed to leave, or they could be arrested. The organizers ultimately chose to leave. No arrests were made.
All organizers were advised of university policies, as well as what would occur if they refused to leave.
Encampments are not permitted under university policies, and violations of university policy will not be tolerated. Any behavior that violates applicable law or university policy may be subject to criminal and/or university disciplinary sanctions.
This information is laid out on the free speech website, here: https://freespeech.uiowa.edu/. See these pages specifically:
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol assisted the University of Iowa Police Department with this response.