The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today called on the Orange County District Attorney (OCDA)’s office to drop charges filed against ten anti-genocide protesters who were arrested during peaceful demonstrations at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) in May. CAIR-LA condemned these charges as part of an ongoing nationwide effort by law enforcement, elected officials, and universities to intimidate, harass, and silence pro-Palestinian activism on campus.
On May 15, UCI’s militarized police response to the university’s Gaza Solidarity Encampment led to the arrest of more than 50 demonstrators, largely students and faculty, peacefully protesting Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Ten of those protesters have been charged with failure to disperse, including four UCI students and two professors. The OCDA is reportedly reviewing evidence against the remaining 40 people who were arrested.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Legal Director Amr Shabaik, Esq., said:
“We urge the OCDA’s office to drop the charges against the students, faculty, and community members who participated in pro-Palestine protests at UCI. The individuals who participated in these peaceful demonstrations were simply advocating for justice and the protection of civilians in Gaza.
“Rather than engage in conversation with student protesters, colleges and universities across the country have repeatedly made attempts to silence pro-Palestinian activism by weaponizing university policies to suppress free speech and authorizing police violence against students, faculty, and staff. These troubling efforts have been exacerbated by district attorneys looking to score political points by charging and intimidating those speaking up for Palestinian human rights.
“This concerning pattern runs counter to the principles of free expression and peaceful assembly that are fundamental on college campuses. Unfortunately, the OCDA’s office has engaged in selective and unfair prosecution of pro-Palestinian students in the past and faces numerous allegations of unlawful racially biased prosecutions, racism, retaliation, and mismanagement. The OCDA’s office should instead uphold the right to peaceful protest, ensuring that students and community members are not punished for exercising their constitutionally protected freedoms.
“Since Oct. 7, students on college campuses have reported being subjected to increased Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian hate, harassment, doxing, censorship, and retaliation from their schools. The criminalization of these protests only reinforces the environment of hostility and sends a chilling message to those advocating for human rights.”
CAIR-LA previously condemned the UCI administration for its response to pro-Palestine activity on campus after the university decided to suspend several students involved in the anti-genocide encampment. CAIR-LA called on UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman to immediately reverse the disciplinary action and take action to protect students’ rights to peaceful speech and assembly on campus.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Madi Morse-Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com