Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Mandy Tovar grew emotional as she granted diversion to UC Santa Cruz student Esmeralda Hurtado, the only one of 122 protesters from the 2024 pro-Palestine encampment arrests to face formal charges. Citing Hurtado’s character and the facts of the case, Tovar’s decision allows the 20-year-old to avoid trial if she completes community service and complies with court conditions through 2026.
UCSC pro-Palestine encampment 2024
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More than a year later, just one person is facing formal charges from 122 arrests at UCSC Gaza encampment
Only one of 122 UC Santa Cruz protesters faces charges in connection with Gaza encampment arrests last year as the statute of limitations on prosecution expires.
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In Santa Cruz, ‘October 8’ film screening becomes flashpoint in ongoing Israel-Palestine campus tensions
The Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival screening of “October 8,” a documentary that focuses on rising antisemitism on college campuses, drew protests at the Del Mar Theatre as demonstrators opposed its portrayal of U.S. pro-Palestine movements. Temple Beth El, the sponsor of the festival, defended the screening as “art,” while objectors criticized it as “propaganda.”
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County DA files first formal charges over UCSC protests amid a national crackdown on campus activism
A UC Santa Cruz student who participated in pro-Palestine protests last year is facing charges including resisting arrest and providing false information after they were arrested at demonstrations in May and in October. The local case was filed Friday as the federal government escalates threats to cut funding to universities that the Trump administration accuses of allowing harassment of Jewish students during pro-Palestine actions over the past year.
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UPDATE: Charges not yet filed against any of the 122 protesters arrested at UCSC Palestine encampment last May
UC Santa Cruz police are still investigating what happened when they made arrests of 122 people at the Gaza solidarity encampment May 31. The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office said it hasn’t finished reviewing reports and hasn’t made formal filing decisions.
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UCSC among campuses revamping discrimination policies after federal probe into Gaza protests
The UC system will overhaul its discrimination policies after federal investigators found it failed to address antisemitic and anti-Muslim harassment during Gaza protests at five campuses, including UC Santa Cruz.
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Judge denies injunction request in lawsuit over banning Gaza protesters from UCSC campus
A Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge denied a request by UC Santa Cruz protesters Tuesday morning to stop the university from banning people from campus without due process. A preliminary injunction would have paused the practice as the protesters’ lawsuit against the bans proceeded in the courts. In the meantime, UCSC updated its policy on the bans.
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Photos: Santa Cruz anniversary vigil protests war in Gaza
A candlelight vigil was held at the Santa Cruz Clocktower Monday to protest Israel’s war in Gaza on the one-year anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack that sparked it.
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UC Santa Cruz student arrested at Gaza war anniversary protest
About 80 UCSC students gathered outside the Santa Cruz County Jail on Monday afternoon after a Gaza war protest rally attendee was allegedly arrested as the crowd dispersed.
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On anniversary of war in Gaza, students rally at UC Santa Cruz
About 150 students and supporters protested on the one-year anniversary of the start of Israel’s war in Gaza Monday on the campus of UC Santa Cruz, criticizing the university’s previous crackdowns on student protest.