Los Angeles, CA — Two months have elapsed since an aggressive altercation involving counter-protesters at a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles, yet no charges have been filed despite the availability of video evidence and identification of some perpetrators by volunteer researchers. The clash, which saw counter-protesters using chemical sprays, fireworks, and sticks against the protesters, occurred amid passive campus security presence.
In a contrasting scene of legal outcomes, 120 miles south in San Diego, a court sentenced two anti-fascist activists to two years behind bars after their conviction for conspiring to riot during a 2021 altercation with supporters of former President Donald Trump. The sentencing marks a significant judicial stance on organized protest activities.
The early May incident at UCLA was marked by notable violence that unfolded as camera lenses captured hours-long mayhem, which included the battering of students and other protesters. In the wake of the violence, UCLA authorities reassured the community of their commitment to justice. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block stated in early May, “I committed to finding those responsible and bringing them to justice.”
Despite these promises, frustration grows among the victims as the legal proceedings drag on. Only one arrest — that of Beverly Hills resident Edan On — has been made, but consequently, the Losaid district attorney declined to prosecute, referring the case instead to the city attorney.
For individuals like Thistle Boosinger, an artist and UCLA protest participant severely injured during the attack, the slow pace of justice is disheartening. Boosinger, who suffered a broken bone and nerve damage in her hand, expressed distrust in the effectiveness of the police investigation. “I don’t have any faith in the police,” Boosinger lamented.
The response from local enforcement and legal offices remains vague. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office issued a broad statement, emphasizing its dedication to impartial law application and fact-based justice. This non-committal response does little to placate the victims’ demand for timely action.
As investigations sputter on without tangible results, contrast hangs heavily in the air — a notable juxtaposition when placed alongside the firm sentences handed down in San Diego. There, defendants Brian Lightfoot and Jeremy White faced trial rather than accepting plea deals, leading to their two-year sentencing. The trial was marked as a milestone prosecution of Antifa-related activities, potentially setting a precedent for future cases involving activists across the nation.
Jeremy White articulated a poignant reflection, seeing his sentencing as a continuation of his family’s long-standing resistance against fascism and hatred, a legacy he carries even behind bars.
While the legal landscapes in Los Angeles and San Diego showcase differing speeds and outcomes in handling protest-related violence and activism, both highlight the nuanced and often controversial arena of legal responses to public demonstrations and political expression. As these cases unfold, they will inevitably influence future legal frameworks and societal norms about protest, administration of justice, and the balance between maintaining public order and protecting civil liberties.