SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The trial of five current and former Stanford University students who occupied the university president’s office during pro-Palestinian protests in 2024 began Friday, a rare case of demonstrators facing trial for their actions during a wave of campus protests that year.
Authorities initially arrested and charged 12 people on June 5, 2024, the last day of spring classes at California State University, after demonstrators barricaded themselves inside the offices of the president and provost for hours.
A 21-year-old man was accused of pleading no contest under an agreement that allows eligible teenagers to have their cases dismissed and their records sealed if they successfully complete probation. His testimony for prosecutors led to grand jury indictments in October of 11 other people on felony vandalism and conspiracy to commit trespassing charges.
Six of the 11 received pretrial plea deals or diversion programs, while five who went to trial pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors accused demonstrators of spray-painting the building, breaking windows and furniture, disabling security cameras and sprinkling a red liquid known as fake blood on items throughout the office. The university is seeking $329,000 in damages.
Avi Singer, an attorney representing Stanford University student Herman Gonzalez, said Gonzalez decided to exercise his right to a jury trial.
“Gelman Gonzalez and the four other defendants are exercising their constitutional right to a jury trial and asking the district attorney to prove everything necessary for a conviction,” including whether they planned to trespass and what their intent was, he said.
In announcing his decision to charge the group last year, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said protesters went too far when they vandalized buildings.
“Speech is protected by the First Amendment. Vandalism will be prosecuted under criminal law,” he said.
Protests have broken out on college campuses across the United States, with students setting up camps to demand that universities stop doing business with Israel or companies that support Israel’s war on Gaza.
In 2024, approximately 3,200 people were arrested across the country. While some universities ended demonstrations by making deals with students or simply waiting them out, others called police when protesters refused to leave. Most charges were dismissed.
