LA City Attorney Drops Charges in Majority of UCLA, USC Protest Arrests

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office announced it will not pursue criminal charges against the majority of individuals arrested during pro-Palestinian and counter-protests at UCLA and USC in April and May 2024, citing insufficient evidence and challenges with identification due to lack of university assistance. Of more than 300 referrals stemming from these campus protests, only two people—Matthew Katz and Edan On—face misdemeanor charges for alleged conduct at UCLA unrelated to protesting, including battery, assault, and brandishing a weapon. Three others were referred to City Attorney Hearings, which are informal diversion proceedings rather than criminal prosecutions. Most cases were declined for evidentiary reasons, and no charges were filed in connection with over 200 arrests on specific protest dates at UCLA and nearly 100 at USC. The announcement comes around the first anniversary of the encampments, which drew national attention amid heated debate on the Israel-Hamas war. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto emphasized her office’s commitment to objectively evaluating each case based on available evidence.