UCLA Settles for $6 Million with Jewish Students Over Protests
BREAKING: The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has reached a $6 million settlement with three Jewish students and a Jewish professor over allegations that the university violated their civil rights during pro-Palestinian protests in March 2024. The lawsuit claimed that UCLA allowed protesters to prevent Jewish students from accessing classes and other areas on campus.
This landmark settlement comes nearly a year after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against UCLA for its handling of the protests, marking a significant legal precedent. U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi ruled that the university had a responsibility to protect its students from a hostile environment, rejecting UCLA’s defense that it was not liable for the actions of the protesters.
UCLA faced intense scrutiny after incidents where counterprotesters clashed with pro-Palestinian demonstrators, resulting in injuries to over a dozen people. More than 200 individuals were arrested after protests escalated, drawing widespread criticism of the university’s response.
In a related development, the U.S. Department of Justice announced its findings that UCLA violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated that UCLA exhibited “deliberate indifference” towards credible claims of harm against Jewish students.
As part of the settlement, UCLA is mandated to ensure that Jewish students, faculty, and staff have equal access to all campus facilities. The settlement allocates $2.3 million to eight organizations dedicated to combating antisemitism, alongside covering the plaintiffs’ damages and legal fees.
In a statement, Janet Reilly, Chair of the University of California Board of Regents, emphasized the importance of fostering a safe environment, stating, “Today’s settlement reflects a critically important goal that we share with the plaintiffs: to foster a safe, secure and inclusive environment for all members of our community.”
Meanwhile, a group of 35 pro-Palestinian students and activists has filed a counter lawsuit against UCLA, alleging that the university failed to protect their rights during the demonstrations. This ongoing back-and-forth highlights the deep divisions on campuses across the nation regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As the fallout from these events continues, UCLA is under pressure to implement new guidelines to manage protests effectively and ensure the safety of all students. This settlement not only impacts UCLA but may set a precedent for other universities grappling with similar tensions.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
