UCLA settles civil rights lawsuit for $6 million over handling of 2024 campus protests

Written: July 29, 2025, 16:30 EDT

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has agreed to a $6.13 million legal settlement with three Jewish students and a professor who alleged the university failed to protect them during pro-Palestinian protests on campus in 2024. The plaintiffs argued that they were blocked from accessing classes and university spaces, a violation of their civil rights under federal law.

The settlement comes in the wake of a federal judge’s finding that UCLA had acted with “deliberate indifference,” and amid a broader national reckoning on how universities respond to protest activity and civil rights protections.

Federal ruling holds UCLA accountable

The civil rights lawsuit centered on events during a series of on-campus demonstrations at UCLA in 2024, where pro-Palestinian protesters established encampments opposing Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The plaintiffs alleged that during the demonstrations, Jewish students and faculty were obstructed from attending class, accessing campus buildings, and safely participating in university life.

Although UCLA initially argued that it was not responsible for protest-related obstructions caused by non-university actors, U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi ruled otherwise. He determined the university had an obligation to ensure safe and equal access for all students, regardless of who was involved in the demonstrations.

In response to the ruling, UCLA was ordered to develop a plan to prevent future incidents and protect Jewish students from harassment or exclusion on campus.

Civil rights violation confirmed by Department of Justice

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division later supported the court’s conclusion, stating that UCLA had violated both Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

In an official statement, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said, “UCLA failed to take timely and appropriate action in response to credible claims of harm and hostility on its campus.” She added that the university’s inaction contributed to a hostile educational environment for Jewish and Israeli students.

As part of the agreement, UCLA is now required to ensure that Jewish students, staff, and faculty are provided equal access to campus programs, facilities, and events, without discrimination or disruption.

Settlement includes monetary damages and policy changes

The $6.13 million settlement will cover damages and legal fees for the plaintiffs and provide funding to eight Jewish organizations. In addition to financial compensation, the settlement includes university commitments to enforce new protest and demonstration policies, with an emphasis on safeguarding students’ rights to access and safety.

The University of California system, which oversees UCLA and nine other campuses, has already introduced new guidelines for campus demonstrations, aiming to strike a balance between free expression and civil rights protections.

Although UCLA did not provide an immediate public comment on the agreement, the university has stated in past statements that it remains committed to campus safety and inclusive education.

Incident draws national attention

The events that led to the lawsuit were part of a broader wave of campus protests across the U.S. in response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. At UCLA, tensions escalated when counterprotesters attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment one night, hurling objects and using pepper spray in clashes that lasted several hours.

More than a dozen people were injured in the confrontation before police intervened. The following day, when hundreds of protesters refused to disperse, law enforcement arrested over 200 individuals.

The violent confrontations and perceived delays in police response drew criticism from students, faculty, advocacy groups, and political leaders.

Trump administration backs lawsuit, expands probes

In March 2025, the Trump administration joined the UCLA lawsuit as part of a broader federal investigation into antisemitism and civil rights violations at multiple U.S. universities. The Department of Justice opened additional inquiries into institutions including Columbia University, the University of California, Berkeley, Northwestern University, the University of Minnesota, and Portland State University.

Just last week, Columbia University reached a separate $200 million agreement to resolve related allegations. That deal also included restoring over $400 million in previously withheld research grants.

According to administration officials, the Columbia settlement is being used as a blueprint for future university agreements, with financial accountability now seen as a key requirement in resolving campus civil rights violations.

Pro-Palestinian group files counter-lawsuit

In a parallel legal action, a group of 35 pro-Palestinian students, legal observers, faculty, and activists also filed suit against UCLA, claiming that the university failed to protect their safety during the same protest events.

Their lawsuit points to the night of violent attacks against the protest encampment as evidence of the university’s inadequate response to threats. Several protesters sustained injuries, and advocacy groups, including Muslim student organizations, condemned the perceived indifference by campus security and local law enforcement.

Some Jewish students across various U.S. campuses have also participated in protests criticizing Israeli military policy in Gaza, demonstrating the complex and diverse perspectives within student communities.

Broader implications for U.S. higher education

The UCLA settlement marks a turning point in how universities handle campus protests and address allegations of civil rights violations. With increased scrutiny from federal agencies and potential financial consequences, institutions are under growing pressure to ensure student safety, protect freedom of expression, and comply with anti-discrimination laws.

As the debate over U.S. involvement in the Middle East continues, universities are expected to face more legal and political challenges tied to the intersection of activism, safety, and civil rights.