Woman arrested in Trad Youth counter-protest

Bloomington police ?arrested Meranda Prince, a 22-year-old Bloomington resident, on preliminary charges of battery and battery on a police officer Wednesday.

Prince was part of a large group counter-protesting the Traditional Youth Network on Wednesday before a lecture delivered by author Tim Wise in the Indiana Memorial Union.

The TYN group was protesting anti-racism author Tim Wise’s lecture in the IMU.

There were between 10 and 15 protesters and between 40 and 50 counter-protesters at the beginning of the protests at the Sample Gates, according to Capt. Joe Qualters.

The battery charges occurred near Fourth and Walnut streets after the protesters marched west on ?Kirkwood Avenue, turned south on College Avenue, then east on Fourth Street.

According to the arrest report, the counter-protesters “chased” the TYN group.

After Officer Randy Gehlhausen arrived on Fourth Street, he witnessed Prince run behind a male protester and strike him in the head. The officer tried to arrest her on the charge of battery, but she pinched and grabbed his arm hair, according to the report. She then struck his genitals, resulting in pain.

Once in handcuffs, Prince was placed in an IU Police Department squad car. She was charged with battery, a Class B misdemeanor, and battery on a police officer resulting in ?injury, a Level 6 felony.

“It’s really difficult to tell who’s going to be violent,” Qualters said after describing the police report during press time. “Our obligation is to ensure that the rights of both groups are in place ... You also need to make sure that public safety is ?not at risk.”

Hannah Alani

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