Pro-Palestinian Campus Protesters Hit With Felony Charges

[Jose Garcia]

Source: Newsweek

Thirteen pro-Palestinian protesters who barricaded themselves in the office of Stanford University's president were charged with felony burglary on Friday, with some of them suspended and not able to graduate.

The incident took place early Wednesday morning when protesters occupied President Richard Saller's office before they were forcibly removed by the Stanford Department of Public Safety (SUDPS) and the County Sheriff's Office.

Demonstrators intended to remain inside the building until their demands were met, but police cleared the encampment within three hours.

Approximately 50 students, most dressed in black with their faces wrapped in kaffiyehs, linked arms and surrounded the building in solidarity with the occupying students.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/stanford-palestine-israel-protests-felony-burglary-1909853?ref=upstract.com

[Bok_Tukalo]

1. Civil disobedience is still disobedience

[JohnSJ]

2. What did the idiots think would happen?

[jimfields33]

4. This is really good news.

I think they went beyond peaceful protest. I hope the ones who refused entry into the classes and library of Jewish student are charged next with felonies. Their actions were even more repulsive.

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

9. Disagree

Only violence on tv was rabid pro Israel faction.

[stopdiggin]

10. the harrassment (sometimes overtly physical) of Jewish students

has happened on campuses across the country. I don't know where you ever got the idea that it didn't happen - but that is clearly in error. It did - repeatedly. (and was reported on)

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

14. But Not These

This is for a trespass burglary. As an anti war activist in the 80s we always did sit ins like this. It’s a load of crap that it’s suddenly not tolerated. Any harassment should be prosecuted as such. But the only videos of group harassment televised in the news were the right wing pro Israel group that attacked the campers. That’s violent assault.

[stopdiggin]

17. I frankly do not care that (or if) "the only videos televised ..."

what happens on the TV screen is not the only (or even a particularly reliable) version of truth. And the incidents of Jewish harassment on campus were well documented. If those incidents escaped your attention - that's on you.

Also not interested in arguing your grievance against serious penalty. Ample warning from both university and LE ... (when you're told ahead of time something is going to happen - then it happens .. ) That's good enough for me.

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

25. Huh?

They arent charged with harassment. Those are other people. Separate incidents. That’s quite a broad brush you’re using. I’ve experience racism. Prejudice. If been assaulted from it too. My family has experienced genocide. But that doesn’t make me callously justify injustice towards others or guilt by identity association. But hey that’s just me. We all have our opinions. But I should not believe my own eyes and ears watching brutal assaults by anti Palestinian groups repeated hourly for two days for all to see? I shouldn’t care about that thuggery? Why does this sound familiar. And in the end I probably wouldnt want to felonize those kids either.

[LauraInLA]

39. "brutal assaults by anti Palestinian groups repeated hourly for two days" -- I missed that! Where did that happen?!

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

44. You Know How CNN Loops Continually To Fill Airwaves

It was on repeat for a couple days. I’m just speaking my mind. I take offense at some of the rabid self-righteous downright snobbish condescending attitudes on this issue here but people are people I guess no matter where you go or what side you’re on. Just kind of twisted...my family was murdered by Muslim hate but I know hate is the actual problem. Here’s a news link. We all need to pray for peace always. https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/05/16/us/ucla-student-protests-counterprotesters-invs

[mjvpi]

51. Thank you. These students weren't arrested for harassment of Jewish students, they were arrested for trespassing.......

……..in an act of civil disobedience against the war in Gaza. I’m tired of anti war protesters being mis labled.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

52. They were also arrested for defacing and destroying private property, hence the felony charges.

If all they had done was to peacefully take over the office, then I would object to the felony charges, but that's not all they did, they vandalized property that didn't belong to them causing Stanford to spend money repairing the damage, money that could have been used for other things.

What especially galls me is the damage done to the plaque honoring those from Stanford that served and died in the service of their country, I'm very sensitive to that shit and it was way out of line.

They probably didn't think ahead of what the consequences would be, now they're in the find out phase of their unlawful acts.

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

54. Facts Matter

Where have I heard that before?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

55. Except that the poster left out some very pertinent facts.

like the fact that they vandalized private property not belonging to them and now Stanford has to spend money on repairing/replacing the property, money that could have been spent on other more worthy things.
But you knew that because it's been pointed out numerous times by me and others but yet you cling to the notion that they were arrested and charged because they "trespassed".
Talk about hyprocrisy.

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

56. Talk About Not Listening

You were conflating harassment with trespass/property damage. To be clear if you keep insisting on nitpicking this. And no one said no arrests. Just no felony. You want to felonize these kids. Many do not. Cheers.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

57. And many more do because of their actions on defacing/destroying private property.

And I'm not conflating anything, I'm pointing out that the felony charges are justified considering the vandalism committed by these assholes.

As I said earlier, if all they did was occupy an office peacefully without the damage to private property, then I would vigorously defend them from felony charges, but that's not the case here is it?
Also, the defacing of the plaque that recognizes those Stanford students and others that sacrificed their lives in the service of their country is especially repugnant to me for obvious reasons, there is no excuse for that.

You're not going to change my mind, just like I'm not going to change your mind, so let's leave it at that.

[stopdiggin]

40. "Those are other people. Separate incidents."

Diner bell! Now you're starting to get it!

"Disagree. Only violence on tv was rabid pro Israel faction."

Also separate incident ... Over a month ago, and on separate campus.
(which you brought to the table first in effort to contrast and minimize ... )

[manicdem]

29. Badge of courage

I thought getting arrested and punished for civil disobedience was the ultimate form of civil disobedience.

That your convictions are so strong that you are willing to sacrifice for it.

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

45. True

Within reason.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

32. You did sit ins, fine,

but did you deface and destroy property while doing your sit in?

These assholes did, causing the college to spend who knows how much to repair/replace the damage, money which would have gone to different things.

I have zero sympathy for these assholes, they deserve what's coming to them and with a felony on their record if convicted, hopefully, good luck finding a good paying job.

[JohnSJ]

35. In addition, Stanford is on private property. Some conveniently seem to ignore the damage or that a guard was injured

also.

https://www.hastingstribune.com/ap/health/13-arrested-at-stanford-as-pro-palestinian-protesters-occupy-presidents-office/article_b4487cdc-fa0f-59f7-ad74-01d6f043ade9.html

It seems that some want to use the republican January 6th argument excuse regarding those protesters.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

37. Thanks for the link.

AFAIC, they richly deserve what's coming their way.

[Richard D]

3. Good.

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

8. Bad

[MarineCombatEngineer]

38. I would urge you to take a look at how many REC's you've gotten so far, let's see,

what's it up to now?
Zero?
Think that tells you something?

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

46. Tells Me You Base Life On Popularity

I believe in principle. Have fun chasing likes. FB is a great place for that.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

47. Tells me that you have no idea of what I base life on,

but thank you for that amazing analysis of what I base my life on.

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

48. You Asked A Question

You got an answer. After trying to tell me I should base my comments on what a small group of people here think or judge who are allergic to considering another point of view. Only a weak position resorts to claiming that others dont like or support what someone thinks. I’ll hold the emoji.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

49. So, let me get this straight,

you think I base my life on popularity because of a comment I made on an internet website?

Do you even realize just how dumb that is?
You know nothing about me IRL, yet here you are attempting to psychoanalyze me on an anonymous chat board.
BTW, I don't do any other chat boards except this one, I don't even know how to do facebook, nor do I want to.

You say you did sit ins during the '80's, good for you for exercising your rights, but did you vandalize property that didn't belong to you?
These assholes did, that's why they're being charged with felonies, not because of the sit in.
They fucked around and now are going to face the consequences of their unlawful actions.
It's called being held accountable.

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

50. You're Talking In Circles

You brought up basing opinions and beliefs on how many likes I get. On a very small sample size btw on a post that’s already out of the current cue but a few people are still intent on agitating about. Please. I’m not interested in your gaslighting. I didn’t say anyone should be unaccountable. It’s a matter of degree. Vandalism is a mistake. Regardless if barricading or whatever. But it shouldn’t be felonized upon student protestors. Sorry that’s such a shocking opinion for you to absorb. I see property damage all the time where I live. It goes way beyond vandalism too. And they barely even get misdemeanors here. In fact charges are never brought. It’s a daily occurrence. To my business and surrounding homes and businesses. These are kids. If your child vandalized something let’s say at high school you would want the most severe punishment a felony ruining his or her life? Cmon. That vitriol is too much for my taste thank you. We have bigger problems. By all means tell me again how misguided I am.

[Cha]

18. GREAT!!🌊🕊️💙🇮🇱🕯️

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. Excellent!

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

7. Wow. No

That is utterly irresponsible to say. It doesn’t deserve a felony. Trump is happy though.

[Tarheel_Dem]

11. I don't give two shits whether or not "Trump is happy", and I don't give a shit what happens to these disgusting...

"protestors". Now, how's that for "irresponsible"? Actions have consequences, college students should have learned that by now.

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

15. College Students?

College students are the ones who protested like this for decades to achieve goals we take for granted now. Civil rights. Anti war. The aids crisis. Death squads in El Salvador. Spare me. And I do care what Trumpers think and act on. They love this because it’s unjust. Misdemeanor ok. It better and will be knocked down. Felony seems extreme regardless of ones view on the issue.

[Tarheel_Dem]

16. What don't you understand about....I don't care about these alleged "protestors". Why don't they protest Hamas?

Have you even wondered about that?

[Richard D]

22. They did a F of a lot of damage.

https://d.newsweek.com/en/full/2404584/stanford-protest.webp?w=790&f=c1139ca4084bc128a94bac14ff486125

[MarineCombatEngineer]

33. What part of they caused extensive damage to university property don't you understand?

As far as I'm concerned, they're cowards, they'll protest and damage property and chant slogans like Palestine will be free, from the river to the sea, etc. yet they won't put their money where their pie holes are and actually travel to Gaza and fight the IDF on behalf of HAMAs because then they would actually have to put their lives in danger.

Fuck them and the horse they rode in on and if you don't particularly like it, that's on you, not me.

[nocoincidences]

53. They are dumbass vandals.

Fuck them and fuck Hamas.

[stopdiggin]

12. sorry - when 'peaceful protest' turns decidedly non-peaceful ...

which is exactly what is going on here ...

actions - bearing consequence.
all kinds of warning delivered in advance. very little sympathy ...

[SunSeeker]

13. No, Trump would not be happy about students getting consequences. He wants chaos.

He wants to be able to say that under Biden students are getting away with crimes and disrupting colleges.

I know you may find this hard to believe, but most Americans aren't on the side of keffiyeh-wearing students shutting down colleges over any connection to Israel.

Middle East sympathies remain largely unchanged by the Israel-Hamas War. 51% of Americans say they sympathize more with the Israelis and 27% more with the Palestinians. That is within a few percentage points of what it was before the war. https://news.gallup.com/poll/611375/americans-views-israel-palestinian-authority-down.aspx#:~:text=A%20separate%20question%20in%20the,have%20an%20opinion%20(8%25).

[Cha]

19. TY SunSeeker!!

🕯️🕊️💙🌊

[betsuni]

23. Exactly.

[murielm99]

27. Brilliant!

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

6. Such BS

I was arrested taking over the presidents office decades ago at a big 10 college. We knew we would pay a price. Not felonies though. Misdemeanor with community service. Hopefully this gets knocked down. Otherwise it’s just more targeting.

[MichMan]

24. After occupying it, did you also vandalize it like they did?

[Mopar151]

26. An important consideration!

Sitting on the floor singing is a hell of a lot easier to clean up from, than shit smeared on the walls and spray paint on fine woodwork.

[SunSeeker]

28. Exactly.

The lunch counter sit-in civil rights protesters did not vandalize the lunch counters.

[betsuni]

30. I don't understand the point of the vandalization. Why are these protesters doing it?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

34. Did you vandalize and destroy property during your sit in?

There's the difference between you and those assholes that damaged or destroyed property belonging to Stanford.

They're actually seeing consequences for their crimes, which, IMHO, is a good thing.

[Cha]

20. Good to Know.. TY!

[Cha]

21. Good to Know.. TY!

[bottomofthehill]

31. They went well past a sit in... from the article

During Wednesday's events, protesters defaced walls with anti-Israel and anti-police slogans and vandalizing a memorial to Stanford war veterans with graffiti reading "F- AmeriKKKa." They also painted "Our office now" on a window and chanted, "Palestine will be free, we will free Palestine."

[MarineCombatEngineer]

36. I love how they say they'll free Palestine, yet they refuse to actually put their money

where their pie holes are and take up arm against the IDF because it would put their lives in danger.
Bunch of fucking cowards all.

[EllieBC]

42. Are they going over to free it?

Why not? All talk no walk.

[mcar]

41. Good. FAFO.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

43. This is appropriate

These people broke the law and need to face the consequences