The Los Angeles city attorney’s office has decided not to pursue criminal charges against most of the protesters arrested during last year’s demonstrations at UCLA and USC related to the Gaza conflict. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced that out of more than 300 referrals from arrests made during the protests, only two individuals will face charges.
The two charged are Edan On and Matthew Katz, both identified as counterprotesters at a pro-Palestinian demonstration at UCLA. On is facing charges of battery and assault with a deadly weapon, while Katz is charged with battery, false imprisonment, and resisting arrest. The majority of the other cases were dropped due to lack of evidence or issues with identifying the individuals involved.
Feldstein Soto explained that many cases were declined because the universities could not provide necessary information for prosecution. She noted that 245 arrests from UCLA and 93 from USC were referred to her office, but most did not have enough evidence to proceed.
Three other protesters, Ali Abuamouneh, Karla Maria Aguilar, and David Fischel, were referred to informal hearings instead of facing criminal charges. Abuamouneh and Aguilar were arrested at USC, while Fischel was arrested at UCLA.
This decision comes in the wake of significant unrest on campuses following the outbreak of violence in Gaza last October, which saw widespread protests. The demonstrations highlighted deep divisions over the conflict, with many students advocating for Palestinian rights.
Reactions to the city attorney’s decision have been mixed. The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations welcomed the charges against On, emphasizing the need for accountability regarding violence against peaceful demonstrators. In contrast, Amelia Jones, a USC professor, praised the decision to drop charges against most protesters, calling it a victory for free speech and the right to protest.
The city attorney expressed gratitude to her team for their careful evaluation of the cases, reaffirming the importance of following the rule of law in these matters.