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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.
CCNY campus police abruptly charged into the Palestine solidarity encampment. Protesters quickly realized and formed a wall, forcing them to be moved back and had to stand down. Protesters cheered as CUNY police walks away, NYPD is being called to deploy. pic.twitter.com/WE2NRXVEHb
— Luis.Documents🧢 (@mfsgottenshook) April 25, 2024
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.”
Today CUNY students and workers staged a die-in and flooded the windows of the iconic 5th avenue building with signs of solidarity, at the same time as huge banners were dropped from the 6th story windows. 🧵with videos.
Read the demands here: pic.twitter.com/0GwszcKdZt pic.twitter.com/HYHXTfjkbZ— CUNY4Palestine (@Cuny4P) November 18, 2023
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.
NOW: Protesters set off more flares at the gates to CCNY
Protesters outside are tossing bottles of water to the protesters inside campus
I’m heading out now but will try and share any updates pic.twitter.com/nIsXnok1Bc
— katie smith (@probablyreadit) May 1, 2024
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 while protests are an important form of expression, they must remain within the boundaries of the law.
The protest, which took place this past spring, led to an intense altercation between the protesters and police when authorities moved in to dismantle an “intifada” encampment erected by the demonstrators. The report in The Post said that the protest escalated into violence, with one individual hurling a flare onto the roof of CCNY’s administration building, sparking a fire that resulted in an estimated $350,000 worth of damage, according to testimony provided by City University of New York (CUNY) Chief Operating Officer Hector Batista before the City Council in May.
Additionally, Batista revealed that vandals smashed windows, broke chairs, and destroyed other furniture in various buildings across the campus, causing another $250,000 in damage. Protesters further damaged the school’s security infrastructure by spray-painting video surveillance cameras in an attempt to avoid identification, adding $600,000 in damages, according to the information contained in The Post report. These actions collectively resulted in financial costs of upwards of $3 million, as the university was forced to implement heightened security measures in response to the chaos.
NOW: Protesters just pushed CUNY Public Safety out of the ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ after they entered the encampment at City College
Officers retreated after protesters formed a wall and pushed the officers back pic.twitter.com/j96sgEmmCy
— katie smith (@probablyreadit) April 25, 2024
In his testimony, Batista emphasized the broader financial impact on the university, detailing how the school had been forced to invest heavily in security upgrades to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, The Post report said. “With additional security measures the school was forced to put in place, we’re upwards of $3 million in spending,” Batista explained, pointing to the extensive costs of repairing the damaged property and enhancing security protocols.
The aftermath of the protest has left City College grappling with not only the immediate costs of repairs but also the long-term financial strain associated with maintaining heightened security across the campus. These costs come at a time when public universities like CUNY are already facing budget constraints, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the institution.
