A California sheriff is condemning a lawsuit that he deemed “meritless,” which was filed on behalf of UCLA students and community members. He contends that law enforcement officers responding to a pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA last year unjustly “attacked” the students.
The lawsuit was filed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Los Angeles. It alleges that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and California Highway Patrol (CHP) conducted a joint operation to “attack and clear” the UCLA Palestine Solidarity Encampment. UCLA had deemed the encampment unlawful at the time and canceled classes.
The LAPD and CHP declined to comment on the ongoing litigation when approached by Fox News Digital. Although not directly involved in the lawsuit, Sheriff Chad Bianco from neighboring Riverside County expressed to Fox News Digital his firm belief that the plaintiffs are completely wrong.
“At that time, there were numerous protests across not only our state but other states that were happening, and my frustration always is that school administration allows it and law enforcement allows it,” Bianco said. “And then when it gets out of hand … then it makes for a spectacle on the news or on social media … and unfortunately, this is probably a meritless lawsuit just for publicity. This is just absolutely ridiculous. It’s a gross injustice to our legal system.”
An anti-Israel protest at UCLA was forcibly dispersed by authorities. (Getty Images)
The officers’ response was meant to “prevent further injury” and “restore order” for those on campus experiencing disruptions to their studies.
“It is telling that the lawsuit disregards the extensive documentation of violence that occurred within and around the encampment before police intervention,” Stern said. “Officers were subjected to physical resistance, and in some cases, direct attacks. The suggestion that this was a ‘violent attack’ by police on a group of peaceful demonstrators is not only false—it is a dangerous distortion of reality.”
Students are accusing officers of assault, battery by a police officer, negligence and conspiracy, as well as Bane Act and Ralph Civil Rights Act violations.
Bianco said he believes similar violent clashes between students and police will continue unless leaders “stand up and say we’re not doing this anymore.”
UCLA and CAIR did not respond to requests for comment.
