UCLA settles for $6 million in protest dispute with Jewish students and professor

UCLA Settles Lawsuit Over Civil Rights Violations

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has reached a $6 million settlement with three Jewish students and a Jewish professor. The lawsuit alleged that the university violated their civil rights by allowing pro-Palestinian protesters in 2024 to block their access to classes and other areas on campus. This agreement marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over how universities handle on-campus demonstrations.

The settlement came nearly a year after a preliminary injunction was issued, which was the first time a U.S. judge ruled against a university regarding its handling of protests against Israel’s war in Gaza. Initially, UCLA argued that it had no legal responsibility for the actions of the protesters, who were not affiliated with the university. However, the court disagreed, leading to a requirement for the university to create a plan to protect Jewish students on campus.

Legal Challenges and Campus Protests

The way UCLA handled the dispersal of the encampment in the spring sparked widespread criticism. One night, counterprotesters attacked the pro-Palestinian encampment, throwing traffic cones and using pepper spray, resulting in injuries to more than a dozen people. The situation escalated further when hundreds defied orders to leave, leading to the arrest of over 200 individuals.

In March, the Trump administration joined the lawsuit filed by the Jewish students and professor. This move opened new investigations into allegations of antisemitism at several universities, including Columbia University, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University, and Portland State University. Recently, Columbia agreed to pay $200 million as part of a settlement to resolve investigations into alleged violations of federal antidiscrimination laws and restore more than $400 million in research grants.

Government Finds Violations of Civil Rights

On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced that the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division found UCLA violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The findings stated that UCLA acted with deliberate indifference in creating a hostile educational environment for Jewish and Israeli students.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon emphasized that UCLA failed to take timely and appropriate action in response to credible claims of harm and hostility on its campus. The university has since committed to campus safety and will continue to implement recommendations from the settlement.

Commitment to Inclusive Environment

As part of the settlement agreement, UCLA must ensure that Jewish students, faculty, and staff are not excluded from anything on-campus. The $6.13 million settlement will cover the plaintiffs' damages and legal fees, with about $2.3 million allocated to eight organizations that combat antisemitism.

Pro-Palestinian Students Sue University

In addition to the lawsuit by the Jewish students and professor, a group of 35 pro-Palestinian students, faculty members, legal observers, journalists, and activists has also filed a lawsuit against UCLA. They allege that the university failed to protect those who participated in the demonstrations. Some Jewish students have also taken part in protests on campuses around the country against Israel's war in Gaza.

During the 2014 protests at UCLA, at least 15 pro-Palestinian protesters were injured, and the tepid response by authorities drew criticism from political leaders as well as Muslim students and advocacy groups. This history highlights the complex nature of campus protests and the challenges universities face in balancing free speech with the safety and rights of all students.