DURHAM, N.C. (Sept. 22, 2025) — Criminal charges against three people who were arrested during an April campus protest over North Carolina Central University’s (NCCU) poor housing conditions were dismissed Monday in Durham County District Court.
The State voluntarily dismissed the charges against two students and one professor after a district court judge denied their attempt to delay the cases, despite a prior court order stating they would either be tried or dismissed on September 22, 2025. Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) represented all three individuals.
The dismissals are vindication for Daniel Cole Atwood, Jose Andres Estrella, and Moriah Flowers, who spent over five months facing the fallout from the university’s aggressive response to a campus protest. They follow an earlier victory for transparency, which came after SCSJ successfully petitioned the Durham County Superior Court to release the full police body-worn camera footage from the protest, now available to the public.
“This ruling means our clients can finally move forward with their lives and focus on their studies,” said Dominique Erney, Counsel for Justice System Reform at SCSJ. “They should never have been forced to endure this ordeal, and we will continue to fight for the right to protest.”
University police — including some who traveled from Chapel Hill to NCCU’s campus — responded April 16, 2025, to a peaceful protest involving scores of students and some faculty. Bodycam footage later confirmed the police failed to appropriately issue dispersal orders before grabbing SCSJ’s clients and placing them under arrest for what was lawful conduct protected by the First Amendment.
Despite the victory in court Monday, the arrest and prosecution of Atwood, Estrella, and Flowers had significant and harmful consequences. Atwood, an adjunct professor, was immediately suspended before any investigation. Estrella, a former NCCU student currently enrolled at Durham Tech, was banned from campus. Flowers, a current NCCU student, was evicted from her student housing one week into the current semester.
“This case serves as a prime example of how to mishandle a student protest: a heavy-handed response using police, aggressive arrests, and pushing criminal prosecutions despite clear offers to engage in constructive conversations and restorative justice,” said Janki Kaneria, Counsel for Justice System Reform at SCSJ. “Despite the court victory, avoidable and unnecessary harm has been inflicted on our clients.”
###
Southern Coalition for Social Justice, founded in 2007, partners with communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities in the South to defend and advance their political, social, and economic rights through the combination of legal advocacy, research, organizing, and communications. Learn more at southerncoalition.org and follow our work on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.
