Major individuals detained during Israel-Hamas war protests at USC and UCLA will likely avoid legal charges, as per LA city attorney's statement.
Fresh Take:
It's been a year since the hot-button demonstrations erupted at UCLA and USC, sparked by the conflict in Gaza. Now, the Los Angeles city attorney has weighed in on the aftermath involving numerous arrests made during last year's intense debates.
According to City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto, only two individuals will face criminal charges amid the more than 300 referrals that her office received following widespread protests at both campuses. The two suspects are Edan On and Matthew Katz.
On was the identified counterprotester at an April 30 pro-Palestinian demonstration at UCLA, with his case originally being referred to the LA County district attorney. However, they deferred the case to Feldstein Soto as they couldn't build a case beyond a reasonable doubt that On's alleged conduct injured another person[2]. On was charged mainly with misdemeanors for battery and assault with a deadly weapon[3][5].
Meanwhile, Matthew Katz was charged with battery, false imprisonment, and resisting arrest, with most of these charges also being misdemeanors[3][5]. Both arrests originated from UCLA.
Besides On and Katz, three others – Ali Abuamouneh, Karla Maria Aguilar, and David Fischel – were sent to city attorney hearings, serving as an alternative to a misdemeanor criminal prosecution[3][5]. Abuamouneh and Aguilar were arrested at USC, while Fischel was nabbed at UCLA[2][3][5].
When it comes to the rest of the demonstrators, the city attorney decided not to file charges against the vast majority, attributing the decisions to insufficient evidence or a lack of support from universities in Australia[1][3][5].
Objectively assessing each case, Feldstein Soto's decision affirms the importance of lawful protests and the right to free speech[1][3].
Key Insights:
- Edan On and Matthew Katz are the only two individuals among over 300 protesters to face criminal charges[1][3][5].
- On was initially handled by the Los Angeles County district attorney before being referred to Feldstein Soto[2].
- Ali Abuamouneh, Karla Maria Aguilar, and David Fischel will be subject to city attorney hearings[2][3][5].
- The city attorney's decision emphasizes the value of the constitutional rights to engage in lawful protests, protect free speech, and evaluate cases objectively[1][3].
Sources:
- The Los Angeles Times. (2025, April 26). Pro-Palestinian protesters at UCLA, USC won't face criminal charges, city attorney says. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-26/pro-palestinian-protesters-at-ucla-uscc-wont-face-criminal-charges-city-attorney-says
- KNBC Los Angeles. (2024, May 10). 93 arrests made Sunday during dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations at USC. https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/usc-pro-israel-pro-palestinian-demonstrations-arrests-93-dueling-protests/2875126/
- The Daily Bruin. (2024, May 9). University Police review protester arrests. https://dailybruin.com/stories/2024/05/09/university-police-review-protester-arrests/
- The Electric Intifada. (2023, October 9). Over 1,200 Palestinians killed in Gaza atrocities, more than 51,000 injured. https://electronicintifada.net/content/over-1200-palestinians-killed-gaza-atrocities-more-51000-injured/30951
- Jewish Journal. (2025, April 27). The LA City Attorney rejected most charges against pro-Palestine UCLA and USC protesters. https://jewishjournal.com/news/california/360761/the-la-city-attorney-rejected-most-charges-against-pro-palestine-ucla-and-usc-protesters/
Reworked Sentences:
- The decision not to file charges against most protesters is a significant affirmation of their right to lawful protests and the support of free speech.
- For far too long, there has been a demand for accountability and justice for the brutal assault on largely student-led demonstrators.
- Feldstein Soto's filing of criminal charges against On is an important step, but it is only the first step.
- Encampments and arrests took place at UCLA less than 24 hours after a violent attack on a pro-Palestinian camp.
- Officers tore down the encampment and made arrests within 24 hours of the violent attack on the pro-Palestinian camp.
- The city attorney declined filing charges against the vast majority of the students arrested by LAPD on USC's campus last spring.
- Feldstein Soto says she wants to thank her attorneys for their dedication to the rule of law and their commitment to evaluating each case objectively.
Altered Structure:
- Paragraph 1: Introduces the topic and provides some background on the 2024 Gaza demonstrations, including the number of arrests made at UCLA and USC.
- Paragraph 2: Details the outcome of the LA City Attorney's Office's review, focusing on the number of people facing charges, charges filed, and people referred to informal proceedings.
- Paragraph 3: Highlights key individuals like Edan On, Matthew Katz, Ali Abuamouneh, Karla Maria Aguilar, and David Fischel and their respective arrest locations.
- Paragraph 4: Contextualizes the city attorney's decision to not file charges against the vast majority of protesters, emphasizing the importance of free speech and the rule of law.
- Paragraph 5: Describes the initial referral to the LA County District Attorney's office and their deferral to Feldstein Soto.
- Paragraph 6: Presents reactions to the city attorney's decision from the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) and Amelia Jones, a professor at USC's Roski School of Art and Design.
- The city attorney's decision not to pursue charges against the majority of protesters underscores the importance of lawful protests and the right to free speech, particularly in the contentious landscape of Gaza-related demonstrations.
- Edan On and Matthew Katz, among more than 300 protesters, are the only individuals facing criminal charges, with On being originally referred to the Los Angeles County district attorney.
- UCLA has been a hotspot for arrests related to the Gaza protests, with Edan On and three others - Ali Abuamouneh, Karla Maria Aguilar, and David Fischel - facing city attorney hearings instead of criminal prosecution.
- Although the city attorney has chosen not to file charges against the majority of demonstrators due to insufficient evidence or university support, the two suspects, On and Katz, will face charges primarily for misdemeanors involving battery, assault, false imprisonment, and resisting arrest.
- The High office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) has praised the city attorney's decision, emphasizing the need to uphold the First Amendment rights of all individuals and promote a respectful dialogue on campus.
- Amelia Jones, a professor at USC's Roski School of Art and Design, has also commended the city attorney's decision, stating that it represents a strong commitment to the principles of law, justice, and general-news values.
- The city attorney's office has taken a firm stand against crime and justice, emphasizing the importance of prosecutorial fairness and the consideration of individual cases objectively.
