The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today welcomed the acquittal of two of three men who took part in anti-genocide protests on the University of California, Irvine (UCI) campus nearly two years ago.
SEE: 2 of 3 Defendants Acquitted in UCI Protest Trial
Adel Shaker Hijazi, 42, and Jacob Andrew Hernandez, 33, were acquitted of misdemeanor refusal to disperse, while jurors deadlocked on acquitting Malik Alrefai, 25. Jurors did not find that there was criminal activity leading up to law enforcement shutting down the protest, and found that there was no danger of violence occurring after law enforcement issued a dispersal order.
The prosecution of the protesters against Israel’s genocide in Gaza raised questions about the Orange County District Attorney (OCDA)’s decision to charge those engaging in free speech and the right to peacefully assemble.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Legal Director Amr Shabaik, Esq., said:
“We welcome the jury’s decision to acquit Mr. Hijazi and Mr. Hernandez, which affirms the fundamental right to peacefully protest and speak out against Israel’s genocide. This decision also makes clear that the protest at UCI was non-violent, First Amendment-protected activity. OCDA Todd Spitzer should never have brought these politically motivated charges to advance a ‘Palestine exception’ to free speech. These charges were a waste of taxpayer money, and criminalizing individuals for exercising their First Amendment rights sets a dangerous precedent, particularly when those individuals are advocating for the protection of human rights.”
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR-LA Senior Communications Coordinator Madi Hameed, mmorsehameed@cair.com