Stanford 11 arraigned on vandalism charges from pro-Palestinian protest
Stanford 11 arraigned on vandalism charges from pro-Palestinian protest
Stanford 11 arraigned on vandalism charges from pro-Palestinian protest.
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The protesters known as the "Stanford Eleven," accused of breaking into and vandalizing the Stanford University president’s office, appeared in court Monday morning, more than a year after their pro-Palestinian protest on campus.
The group, made up of eight current Stanford students, three former students and one Peninsula resident, faces felony charges of vandalism and conspiracy to trespass. They range in age from 19 to 32.
Eight defendants entered not guilty pleas, and the other three were ordered to return to court next week to enter pleas. A trial date was set for Nov. 17.
"The dignity of our fellow humans, the Palestinians, has been so stripped to the point that the lives of an entire country of people, who are currently experiencing genocide, are only covered in the news when people are arrested for peacefully protesting," German Gonzalez, one of the 11 defendants, said outside court outside the hearing.
The charges stem from a June 2024 pro-Palestinian protest at Building 10 on the Stanford campus, which houses the offices of the university’s president and provost.
Prosecutors say – and video shows – the protesters broke windows, smashed doors, sprayed graffiti and poured fake blood on university property. Damages are estimated to be between $360,000 and $1 million.
A Santa Clara County grand jury indicted the group on Sept. 29, which supercedes identical felony charges in the spring.
Jeff Wozniak, who represents some of the defendants, told KQED, said the case is political. He and other attorneys had been seeking a preliminary hearing in open court, where a judge and defense attorneys can hear and question the validity of evidence from prosecutors before a case can head to a trial.
The grand jury indictment allows the DA to circumvent the preliminary hearing process.
Following their court appearance, the group held a press conference and rally outside.
They shouted chants for a free Palestine and against Stanford's alleged ties to the genocide, "Stanford you will see, Palestine will be free!" and "the students united will never be defeated!"
Supporters argue that the students were simply standing up for what's right.
"These students embodied the courage and steadfastness of the Palestinian people and did what Stanford University’s leadership could not – they exemplified how to lead with principle, integrity and respect for our collective humanity," said Hibah Hammoudeh, the civil rights coordinator for the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
A deputy stands guard after Pro-Palestinian protesters take over the Stanford university president's office June 5, 2024
When announcing the charges in April, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said there is a difference between free speech and criminal behavior.
"Our speech must be protected, true," Rosen said at the time. "But so must our schools, our workplaces and our homes. We’re here today because I will not allow people hiding behind masks to commit crimes."
If convicted, the protesters could face up to three years and eight months in prison.
Rosen has said he does not want the students to serve prison time, instead urging them to plead guilty, perform community work such as cleaning roads and buildings, and pay restitution to the university.
There were originally 13 people arrested after the break-in, but one Stanford Daily reporter was cleared. And now, one of the 12 protesters is going to testify against the remaining 11.
Daniel Chung, who is running against Rosen for District Attorney, says the charges are too harsh.
"These are not even charges that we charge gang members or serious criminals in our county, so that is a huge waste of taxpayer resources," said Chung. "(Rosen) is trying to hang felony charges and convictions on them. This is going to completely transform their lives."