2 professors, 4 students among pro-Palestinian protesters charged after UC Irvine unrest 

It is about time that terrorist supporters, disruptors of education get arrested.  While this is only six, there are 40 more that can be arrested.  The bigger problem is that these students have NOT been expelled and the professors not been fired—you do not need the Justice System for that.

“Law enforcement officers are seen dismantling a pro-Palestinian protest encampment at UC Irvine on May 15, 2024. (KTLA)

The gathering was eventually deemed an unlawful assembly, and a skirmish line was created. After hours of back-and-forth, police had gained considerable ground and cleared the campus of protestors by 10 p.m. that evening, about eight hours after the demonstration first began. 

Classes for the day were canceled and staff were advised to work from home the following day. 

When all was said and done, around 50 people were arrested; campus officials estimated that there were “hundreds” of protesters that had gathered. 

The arrest should have happened immediately, so students who wanted an education could go to class.  Were I a student at UC Irvine, I would sue the Administration and the individuals for the loss of class time.

2 professors, 4 students among pro-Palestinian protesters charged after UC Irvine unrest 

by: Will Conybeare, KTLA.  9/18/24  https://ktla.com/news/local-news/2-professors-4-students-among-those-charged-with-failing-to-disperse-during-may-protest-at-uc-irvine/

Ten people were charged on Tuesday with failing to disperse after police at the University of California, Irvine deemed a May protest on the school’s campus to be an unlawful assembly. 

According to a press release issued by the office of Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, the protest occurred on the afternoon of May 15, less than a week after school officials suspended several students for participating in a pro-Palestine demonstration. 

Hundreds of demonstrators had gathered on the school grounds that day; video that was posted to social media showed protesters barricaded inside the Physical Sciences Lecture Hall and rushing to pitch tents outside the building.  

Law enforcement officers are seen dismantling a pro-Palestinian protest encampment at UC Irvine on May 15, 2024. (KTLA)

The gathering was eventually deemed an unlawful assembly, and a skirmish line was created. After hours of back-and-forth, police had gained considerable ground and cleared the campus of protestors by 10 p.m. that evening, about eight hours after the demonstration first began. 

Classes for the day were canceled and staff were advised to work from home the following day. 

When all was said and done, around 50 people were arrested; campus officials estimated that there were “hundreds” of protesters that had gathered. 

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has identified ten of the arrestees as: 

  • Michael Chang, 29, of Irvine 
  • Jonathan Brook Haley, 51, of Oceanside 
  • Tiffany Willoughby Herard, 50, of Irvine 
  • Fantana Zadran, 39, of Irvine 
  • Rami Anabtawi, 40, of Silverado 
  • Miriam Castro, 27, of Irvine 
  • Kevyn Garcia, 24, of Upland 
  • Adel Shaker Hijazi, 40, of Irvine 
  • Angie Belen Monreal, 27, of Garden Grove 
  • Marah Quran, 20, of Irvine 

All ten defendants were charged with a misdemeanor count of failure to disperse at the scene of a riot. Monreal was also charged with a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, while Herard received more charges than the other nine, including resisting a peace officer with the threat of violence. 

Each was sent an arraignment letter with orders to appear at the Central Justice Center on Oct. 16. 

The defendants include two UC Irvine professors and four students, the DA’s office said. 

“The right to peaceful assembly is a constitutional right and we encourage protestors to exercise their right on any issue,” O.C. District Attorney Todd Spitzer said.  “However, criminal activity which transcends peaceful assembly will not be tolerated.” 

Prosecutors are continuing to review evidence against the remaining 40 arrestees, Spitzer added. 

One thought on “2 professors, 4 students among pro-Palestinian protesters charged after UC Irvine unrest 

  1. Students, did anyone notice the ages listed? When I was 21, I was in the Army, and out of college, which I paid for by working at the GM plant in Van Nuys at night and going to school during the day.

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