United States of America

Pro-Palestine Protesters at Stanford Charged With Felonies

Published APR 12 2025

Story

Above: Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen speaks during a press conference on the break-in and vandalism at Stanford University, in San Jose, California, on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Image credit: Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle/Contributor via Getty Images

The Facts

A dozen pro-Palestine protestors who broke into a Stanford University building and barricaded themselves inside the president's office last year, allegedly causing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage, were charged with felonies on Friday.
Reuters
ABC7 San Francisco
Those charged, a mix of current and former students between the ages of 19 and 32, broke windows and furniture, splashed fake blood, and disabled security cameras during their takeover, the Santa Clara District Attorney's Office said in a statement. They were charged felony vandalism and felony conspiracy to trespass and will be arraigned later this month, the statement added.
Santaclaracounty
The takeover commenced at around dawn on June 5, 2024 — the last day of spring classes at the California university. The District Attorney's Office said graffiti was spray painted outside while someone shattered a window. It added that after breaking into Building 10, protestors proceeded to ransack offices and to barricade themselves using furniture and other equipment before police were able to make entry around 7:00 a.m.
The Associated Press
Santaclaracounty
A total of 13 people were arrested but a student journalist embedded with the group did not take part in the vandalism and was not charged, the statement further said. In a press conference, Rosen confirmed that all those facing charges were U.S. citizens.
Santaclaracounty
ABC7 San Francisco
The Stanford Review
Following the arrests, the District Attorney's Office said police discovered multiple forcible entry tools including an electric grinder, hammers, crowbars, and other equipment. They also seized phones which were searched pursuant to search warrants, stating they contained detailed plans as well as a "do-it-yourself occupation guide."
Santaclaracounty

Sources Split

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

There is a difference between protest and vandalism and destruction of property. These individuals clearly crossed the line into criminal activity when they broke into offices and carried out a calculated plan of destruction. It is right that they face criminal liability.

Santaclaracounty

Establishment-critical narrative

While it's agreed that protest should not cross the line into criminal activity, the American system has done a very poor job educating young people on what is politically protected speech and what is unlawful.

ABC7 San Francisco