UCLA to Pay $6M to Jewish Students Over Pro-Palestinian Protests

Overview of the Settlement and Legal Context

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 access to classes and other areas on campus. This settlement comes nearly a year after a preliminary injunction was issued, marking a significant moment as it is the first time a U.S. judge ruled against a university over its handling of on-campus demonstrations related to Israel's war in Gaza.

UCLA had previously argued that it was not legally responsible for the actions of the protesters, claiming that they were the ones who blocked Jewish students' access to areas on campus. The university also worked with law enforcement to prevent new protest camps from being set up. However, U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi disagreed and ordered UCLA to create a plan to protect Jewish students on campus. As a result, the University of California, one of the largest public university systems in the nation, has since implemented system-wide campus guidelines on protests.

Controversial Handling of Protests

The way the university handled the dispersal of the encampment in the spring drew widespread criticism. One night, counterprotesters attacked the pro-Palestinian encampment, throwing traffic cones and firing pepper spray, leading to hours of fighting that injured more than a dozen people before police intervened. The next day, after hundreds defied orders to leave, more than 200 people were arrested.

In March, the Trump administration joined the lawsuit filed by the Jewish students and professor. This move came as part of 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.

Major Settlements and Legal Actions

Last week, Columbia University agreed to pay USD 200 million as part of a settlement to resolve investigations into alleged violations of federal antidiscrimination laws and to restore more than USD 400 million in research grants. The Trump administration plans to use this deal as a template for future agreements with other universities, setting a precedent where financial penalties are expected.

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.

New Measures and Future Implications

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 and will be distributed to eight Jewish organizations.

In addition to the Jewish students' lawsuit, 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 across 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 underscores the ongoing challenges universities face in balancing free speech and ensuring safety for all students.