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Student activist arrested seventh time for trespassing on campus – Metro US

Student activist arrested seventh time for trespassing on campus

For the seventh time in just over a year, a former University of Ottawa student known for his political activism was arrested Monday.

Banished from university grounds since December 2008, Marc Kelly was detained for trespassing by campus security outside Tabaret Hall, and later arrested by Ottawa police.

“When he arrived at Tabaret Hall, (campus security) was guarding every single access point,” said student appeals officer, Mireille Gervais.

A video shot by an onlooker appears to show Kelly approaching campus police with his hands behind his back, asking about the boundary line. Three officers quickly restrain him, and put him in handcuffs.

The video also appears to show Kelly running from security onto a nearby bus just before the doors close. Security then appears to be seen entering the bus and regaining custody of the man.

Kelly said he was trying to reach the Ottawa police because he felt he was in danger. City police later arrived and took Kelly into custody.

He has been charged with trying to escape lawful custody, mischief, and breach of conditions.

Kelly was banished in 2008, after being arrested at a university senate meeting while attempting to videotape the proceedings. He was charged with disturbing the peace and barred from campus.

After the charges were dropped, Kelly received a letter from the vice-president of governance, Diane Davidson, informing him of his deregistration as a student, stating “that it is in everyone’s best interest that (he) pursue (his] studies at another university.”

The mathematics student, who only needs three more courses to graduate, calls uOttawa his home.

The university declined to comment.