SAN DIEGO — No charges were filed Monday against more than 60 people arrested last month on the UC San Diego campus while protesting the war in Gaza.
The arrestees were booked and released from the downtown jail on May 6 with paperwork ordering them to appear in court on June 17.
About a dozen UC San Diego students showed up Monday at the downtown courthouse in support of those arrested.
Coleen Cusack, an attorney with the National Lawyers Guild, said her group negotiated with the San Diego City Attorney’s office so most of the arrestees would not have to appear in court Monday.
“National Lawyers Guild is representing 62 out of the 65 individuals who were arrested at UCSD protesting in early May. We've received assurances from the City Attorney that they will not be filing charges against our clients. They reserve the right to file charges for up to one year after the date of the arrest,” said Cusack during an interview Monday on the front steps of the courthouse.
A spokesperson for UC San Diego recently released updated numbers, now saying 66 people were arrested on May 6, including "60 students, 2 faculty and 4 non-affiliated with the university."
The National Lawyers Guild is representing the arrested protesters pro bono, according to Cusack.
“They were arrested, but the City Attorney hasn't elected to file on those yet, and they may never file on those. If they elect to file, they'll have one year to do so,” Cusack said.
The attorney said no felony charges are being considered.
“This is standard practice for the City Attorney to reserve the right to file. If (those arrested) commit an additional crime and get arrested for other charges, then the City Attorney can still file,” Cusack added.
Cusack, a Democrat currently running for San Diego City Council in District 3, said she was not involved in the negotiations with City Attorney prosecutors. She said Alex Landon, also a National Lawyers Guild affiliated attorney, negotiated the agreement where the protesters would not have to appear in court on June 17.
Three of the arrested protesters were represented by retained attorneys. They also were not required to appear, according to Cusack.
The arrested UC San Diego students are facing ongoing disciplinary action by the university. Seven seniors reportedly were not able to walk in commencement ceremonies last weekend, as holds were placed on their diplomas pending the outcome of those disciplinary hearings.
“Those individuals are being represented by my colleague, Annie Rios, and it's unfortunate that the timing of the graduation corresponded with these disciplinary actions, but she is diligently working through those on their behalf,” said Cusack.
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