Resources
Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Rally or protest
Lawsuit
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Incident Political Orientation:
Right wing -
Incident Responses:
Student sanctioned
Rally or Protests
Campus police
Other Law Enforcement
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Incident Status:
In litigation State Court
- Did not involve Speech Codes
Summary
On June 5, 2024, pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied the administrative building housing the president’s and provost’s offices at Stanford University to protest the university’s investments and policies related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. They entered through a broken window and remained inside for several hours while chanting slogans demanding divestment. Police and university security cleared the building and arrested 13 people early that morning, including a student journalist who was reporting on the event. The university stated that the protesters had unlawfully entered the building and caused extensive damage. It began disciplinary proceedings against those involved, stating that the conduct went beyond protected speech.
On October 29, 2024, nearly 50 people gathered in White Plaza to hold a “people’s tribunal” regarding the university’s disciplinary actions tied to the June occupation. The demonstration coincided with a hearing by the Office of Community Standards for eight students who had participated in the June 5 action. Some students received suspensions or campus bans. Speakers criticized the Board of Trustees’ refusal to divest from companies tied to the Israel Defense Forces and objected to the disciplinary sanctions.
In April 2025, the Santa Clara County District Attorney filed felony vandalism and felony conspiracy to trespass charges against 12 protesters for their roles in the June 2024 occupation. Prosecutors alleged that the group caused significant damage inside the administrative building, including broken windows, damaged furniture, disabled security cameras, and graffiti. One person arrested in the June incident, a student journalist, was not charged in the felony case. Advocacy groups, including the San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, issued statements criticizing the felony charges. On May 29, 2025, the 12 charged protesters appeared for arraignment at the Palo Alto Courthouse, where supporters gathered outside.
A Santa Clara County grand jury indicted 11 of the protesters on October 2, 2025, on felony vandalism and trespassing charges related to the June 2024 occupation. In January 2026, a trial began in Santa Clara County Superior Court for five current and former Stanford students who had opted for jury trials and pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors presented evidence alleging property damage and related conduct during the occupation. Defense attorneys argued that the protest was protected expressive activity and contested the allegations and the extent of individual responsibility.
After several weeks of testimony, the case went to the jury in February 2026. Jurors deliberated for multiple days and sent notes to the court indicating they were unable to reach unanimous agreement on the felony vandalism and conspiracy charges. The judge directed them to continue deliberating, but they later reported that further discussion would not resolve the impasse. The court declared a mistrial. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office stated that it intends to retry the case.
