Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed criminal charges against 11 pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Michigan, alleging that several of them used "physical force to counter" police officers clearing a tent encampment in Ann Arbor. One of the protesters was charged with ethnic intimidation after he allegedly attacked a pro-Israel rally.

The charges brought by Nessel's Office were filed Wednesday in 15th District Court in Washtenaw County, where there have been a number of protests on campus over the past year demonstrating against Israel's military actions in Gaza. Universities and officials in Michigan have struggled to balance the right to free speech with the rights of other students to attend classes and activities without feeling threatened. Nessel issued a stern warning to protesters not to engage in what she called "illegal activity."

"The right to free speech and assembly is fundamental, and my office fully supports every citizen’s right to free speech under the First Amendment," Nessel said in a statement. "However, violent and criminal behavior, or acts that trample on another’s rights, cannot be tolerated. I hope today’s charges are a reminder to everyone who chooses to assemble, regardless of the cause, that the First Amendment does not provide a cover for illegal activity."

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, the only member of Congress of Palestinian descent, criticized Nessel for the charges in a post on X, calling them "frivolous charges that only serve to silence those speaking out against" Israel. Tlaib said "this shameful attack on students’ rights will fail."