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IU student accused of intimidating trustees, officials over demands to divest from Israel 

By Aubrey Wright

Posted May 1, 2025

Prosecutors allege Indiana University student Maria McComish intimidated Board of Trustee members and other high-ranking leaders. (Photo courtesy of IUPD)

An Indiana University student was charged with dozens of felonies for allegedly sending Christmas cards to officials that demanded divestment from financial ties to the war in Gaza. 

The letters, signed by the IU Divestment Coalition, stated the leaders must meet the protesters’ demands or they will escalate. Prosecutors in Hamilton County and Monroe County allege Maria McComish knowingly communicated threats to intimidate and coerce IU officials. McComish may face more charges in other counties.  

McComish, a graduate student, is a fellow at The Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism with a full scholarship. According to her Media School bio, she contributed reporting for a story with InvestigateTV on the National Transportation Safety Board this spring. 

Court documents show police believe McComish is affiliated with the Divestment Coalition. The coalition leads protests and organizes to support Palestine amid the war in Gaza. Their demands, according to social media posts, include IU divesting and canceling Department of Defense agreements, investments, partnerships and affiliations that “participates in or supports Israel’s apartheid and genocide.”  

The group posted its Christmas card campaign on social media, stating the letters were sent to IU President Pamela Whitten, Board of Trustee members and other high-ranking officials.  

"You are in a unique position in which you have the power to do something, to demand the severance of financial ties with a government committing genocide,” said a handwritten letter, with a Divestment Coalition signature. “We demand disclosure, divestment, resignation and restoration. You have until Jan 13th to meet these demands or we will escalate to match the severity of the situation.” 

Christmas cards IU Divestment Coalition post — The IU Divestment Coalition posted about the Christmas cards on December 27, 2024, on Instagram. *(Screenshot of an IU Divestment Coalition Instagram post)*

The letter said the coalition “will not rest until you are no longer complicit in genocide.” 

A forensic scientist found 13 fingerprints on one letter.  

Police obtained a warrant to search McComish’s phone in January and collected cell phone records relevant to the case.  

If found guilty of a level 6 felony such as intimidation in Indiana, a person faces between six months and two-and-a-half years in jail.

McComish is scheduled for a jury trial in Monroe County on July 16. Attorneys for McComish didn’t respond to requests for comment.

IU spokespeople didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment about McComish’s enrollment status.

McComish probable cause affidavit by Indiana Public Media News on Scribd

Aubrey is our higher education reporter and a Report For America corps member. Contact her at aubmwrig@iu.edu or follow her on X @aubreymwright.