• UCLA to pay $6.45 million to settle antisemitism lawsuit from Jewish students and a professor.
• The settlement includes funds for community organizations and a campus initiative against antisemitism.
• A permanent injunction will ensure equal access for Jewish students on campus.

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), has agreed to a $6.45 million settlement in a lawsuit filed by three Jewish students and a professor. The suit claimed that UCLA violated their civil rights during pro-Palestinian protests in 2024, where they were allegedly barred from accessing campus areas. According to the lawsuit, these protests became violent, leading to significant disturbances that impacted Jewish student access and safety on campus, with demonstrators accused of forming blocks and engaging in intimidation tactics, thus drawing national attention to the issue, according to latimes, thehill, and npr.

The financial agreement specifies that approximately $2.3 million will be distributed to Jewish community organizations, $320,000 will support a UCLA initiative aimed at combating antisemitism, and $50,000 will be allocated for each plaintiff's damages. This settlement is notably acknowledged as a significant moment in legal approaches to handling antisemitism on campus, reflecting an ongoing commitment from UCLA to enhance safety for all its students, as reported by indiatimes, aa, and thehill.

The settlement follows a directive from U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi, who had previously ordered UCLA to ensure that Jewish students could access educational spaces without obstruction. This injunction highlighted the university's inadequacies in its response to the protests and underscored the legal obligations institutions have to protect their students from discrimination. Judge Scarsi's ruling marked a significant precedent, emphasizing that inaction during demonstrations could lead to liability for universities, according to latimes, npr, and indiatimes.

In light of the settlement, UCLA has committed to maintaining policies that will ensure that Jewish students, faculty, and staff are not excluded from any campus events or activities. This reflects a broader effort to create a secure and inclusive environment on campus, reinforcing UCLA's stance against antisemitism and discrimination. Janet Reilly, chair of the University of California Board of Regents, stated that the settlement underscores their commitment to fostering safety and equality for all community members, as noted in reports from aa, npr, and thehill.