No jail time for pro-Palestinian protesters who took over Stanford president’s office

No jail time for pro-Palestinian protesters who took over Stanford president’s office Prosecutors say five pro-Palestinian demonstrators whose trial earlier this year over a 2024 protest at Stanford University ended with a deadlocked jury will have the charges against them dismissed if they complete community service and pay restitution - Bookmark Criminal charges against five pro-Palestinian activists involved in a 2024 Stanford University protest will be dismissed after they complete community service and pay restitution, California officials said Monday. The resolution follows a mistrial earlier this year. Comprising one current and four former Stanford students, the group was among thousands arrested across American campuses during 2024 demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war. While prosecutors elsewhere largely dropped cases against student protesters, Santa Clara County authorities pursued a criminal trial. The defendants faced felony vandalism and conspiracy to trespass charges after demonstrators barricaded themselves inside the university president and provost executive offices for several hours on June 5, 2024. A mistrial was declared in February after jurors could not reach a verdict. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen intended to retry the case, but defense lawyers successfully argued for his disqualification. They highlighted comments by Rosen and campaign fundraising that connected the prosecution to fighting antisemitism. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Kelley Paul removed Rosen in May and transferred the case to the state attorney general's office. Attorney General Rob Bonta's office announced Monday that each defendant must complete 100 hours of community service and collectively pay around $52,000 in restitution to the university. The financial restitution has already been paid, according to a statement for the demonstrators. "As this saga comes to an end, we are humbled by the outpouring of community support and we look again to Gaza, the compass of our struggle, to reaffirm our commitment to solidarity," defendant Germán González said in the statement. Seven additional defendants in the Stanford case previously received court diversion or deferred entry of judgment. Across the country in 2024, approximately 3,200 people were arrested during campus protests urging universities to end financial ties with Israel or related military efforts. While some schools negotiated or waited out demonstrations, others summoned police. Most criminal charges nationwide were eventually dismissed. [Image text:] FREE DALESRIE