Penn State student charged after protest of event with Proud Boys founder to avoid suspension
A Penn State undergraduate student facing misdemeanor charges in connection with the protest of what many labeled an October “hate speech” is expected to avoid suspension about a week before he’s set to graduate, an outcome reached just days after two dozen supporters rallied in front of Old Main.
Bram Woolley, 23, faced potential suspension and expulsion for violating the university’s student code of conduct and was forced to appear before a university disciplinary board to plead his case, according to sources and reports from a student group. That came after university police alleged he ignored about 10 requests from four uniformed officers to leave the Oct. 24 protest that prompted the cancellation of an on-campus speech featuring Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes, whom neo-Nazis have cited as a gateway to the alt-right.
A Penn State spokesperson said the university cannot comment on specific conduct matters and their resolutions. However, the spokesperson said Wednesday night that no one was set to be expelled or suspended from the protest.
“Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs, reports that no student, to his knowledge, will be expelled or suspended in connection with the October 24 events on the University Park campus,” spokesperson Lisa Powers said in an email.
“If a student is found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, an individualized action plan from the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response is assigned, which includes administrative sanctions and educational, reflective and/or restorative outcomes.”
A source familiar with the disciplinary board proceedings told the CDT that, as long as Woolley meets the condition of completing an online “course,” he will not be suspended. Woolley did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment and his attorney, Julian Allatt, declined to comment.
Woolley was the only known person to be charged in connection with the protest that thrust Pennsylvania’s flagship university into the national spotlight. None of the Proud Boys supporters, including those who pepper-sprayed protesters, have yet been charged or arrested.
Woolley, police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause, was part of a large disorderly crowd about 6:35 p.m. Oct. 24 on the north side of the Thomas Building. The crowd, including Woolley, “closed in on officers at the north doors after a confrontation occurred in the crowd requiring police intervention,” an officer wrote.
Mounted state police officers attempted to move the crowd back. Woolley, police wrote, “slipped” into the area behind the horses but in front of the officers stationed at the doors, creating a “safety concern” due to his closeness to the horses.
A number of Penn State students and faculty took exception to Woolley’s charges, saying it was unfair to single out an individual during a protest that saw numerous students linger hours after the incident. The same student group that organized the protest against McInnes, the Student Committee for Defense and Solidarity, also set up Monday’s rally for Woolley that featured at least 20 attendees.
Following publication of this story, Powers said in an email that Monday’s protest had no bearing on the outcome.
Although Woolley largely escaped repercussions from the university, he is still facing criminal charges. The Lehigh Valley resident is charged with one misdemeanor count each of failure to disperse upon an official order, disorderly conduct and defiant trespassing.
He waived Wednesday’s preliminary hearing, and his formal arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 4 in front of Judge Jonathan D. Grine.
Commencement is slated for Dec. 17.
CDT reporter Bret Pallotto contributed to this story
This story was originally published December 9, 2022 at 8:00 AM.
