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Edited by: Fern Sidman
Eight protesters involved in a violent demonstration at City College of New York (CCNY) in Upper Manhattan, which caused millions of dollars in damages, pleaded not guilty to a range of charges in Manhattan criminal court on Thursday. According to a report in The New York Post, the defendants face multiple charges, including burglary in the third degree, with two also facing assault charges after clashing with campus public safety officers during the protest.
The incident occurred this past spring when students and outside activists set up an “intifada” encampment at CCNY to protest Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza. As per the information provided in The Post report, when the encampment was forcibly cleared by police on April 30, the situation escalated, resulting in the arrests of eight individuals: Nora Fayad, Amelia Fuller, Miranda Levine, Astrid Terrazas, Luis Alberto Cadena, Rudy Martinez, Jonathan Rampagoa, and Jacob Gabriel.
Each defendant has been charged with one count of third-degree burglary and one count of tampering with physical evidence, both felony charges. They also face several misdemeanor charges, including criminal mischief, criminal trespassing, and four counts of possession of burglar’s tools. These charges carry significant penalties, and if convicted, the defendants could face long-term consequences for their involvement in the incident.
The group of protesters is accused of committing acts of vandalism and violence, leading to significant property damage. The Post report also indicated that Rampagoa and Gabriel are facing additional charges for allegedly attacking CCNY public safety officers by throwing objects, including a bicycle and a computer keyboard, at law enforcement personnel.
All eight protesters appeared in court wearing face masks and keffiyeh scarves, a symbol often associated with Palestinian solidarity, as was noted in The Post report. They pleaded not guilty to the charges against them but declined to comment further.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized that violent actions during protests will not be tolerated. “Everyone returning to campus this fall deserves to be and feel safe,” Bragg said in a statement, the report in The Post confirmed. “Today’s felony indictments make clear that we will not hesitate to prosecute those who destroy property or commit violence at any protest when we have the appropriate facts and evidence.”
The DA’s office has been working closely with the NYPD and local colleges to anticipate additional student demonstrations this academic year. The Post reported that Bragg reiterated that while peaceful protests are lawful and protected, any protest that crosses into illegal activities—such as property destruction or violence—will be met with legal consequences.
The protest at CCNY was one of several demonstrations that have taken place in New York City in response to the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza. The protesters’ tent encampment symbolized their support for the cause of Hamas terrorism and their opposition to the ongoing conflict in the region. However, the protest turned violent, drawing police intervention and leading to the current legal proceedings.
The defendants are accused of causing millions of dollars in property damage during the demonstration. As was revealed in The Post report, the protest’s escalation from peaceful demonstration to physical altercations and property destruction has drawn sharp criticism from city officials and law enforcement, who maintain that they must remain within the boundaries of the law.
