Republican Congressman Slams Daniel Biss For Response To Northwestern Encampment Protest

EVANSTON, IL — A Republican Congressman from Michigan slammed Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss in a letter sent last week, requesting a briefing about Biss's role in denying police response to Northwestern University during the April 2024 encampment protest.

In his Jan. 28 letter, Rep. Tim Walberg, who represents Michigan's 5th Congressional District, argued that Biss failed to protect Jewish students on Northwestern's campus during the demonstration by refusing to send police support. Despite Biss describing the protesters as peaceful at the time, Walberg characterized them as a violent, antisemitic mob.

Walberg said the requested briefing is intended to aid the House Committee on Education and Workforce in considering whether potential legislative changes are needed.

"Despite these repeated and documented incidents of antisemitism and harassment, the Evanston Police Department—at your direction—did not assist in clearing the encampment," Walberg wrote "Indeed, Committee documents show that Northwestern was looking to arrest protesters on April 26 but was unable to do so with 'too few police to safely get this done' due to your refusal to provide support."

The letter also included text messages between university Trustee Michael Sacks and former Northwestern University President Michael Schill, where they discuss the protest and communications with Biss. One message from Sacks to Schill read, "I know Biss well. If the winds blow the wrong way he will throw you under the bus. No hesitation."

In other messages, Schill wrote that he spoke with Sacks, who told him not to trust Biss and that "Biss is likely to tell folks to shore up his progressive credentials."

In a video statement, Biss confirmed that Schill requested that the mayor send police to the campus to arrest protesters. In response to the request, Biss said he consulted with the Evanston Police Department and both parties concluded that it did not make sense to go to the campus.

At a news conference, Biss called Walberg's letter, "a dishonest political attack."

"There is a growing effort by Republicans to silence free speech across the board," Biss said. "Not just to come after protesters when it's about foreign policy, but to come after people who are dissenting against ICE, to come after rapid responders, to shoot people in the streets. They're trying to crack down on local governments and universities and everybody else. This is part of a broader effort shut up anybody who doesn't agree with them. I won't be intimidated."

The protests began on campus in April 2024, where pro-Palestinian protesters established an encampment at Deering Meadow. The university's private security force removed tents and President Michael Schill changed the school's demonstration policy to prohibit the installation of tents and temporary structures on campus.

Evanston police were not involved with efforts by Northwestern's private police force, NUPD, to clear the encampment.

Related:

• Tent Tension: Northwestern's Private Security Force Fails To Clear Gaza Solidarity Camp
• Northwestern Pro-Palestinian Protestors Claim 'Historic' Victory In Deal To End Encampment
• Northwestern President Faces Resignation Calls, Class Action Lawsuit From Jewish Students