Fourteen members of the Occupy UCLA movement arrested during a November protest have been referred to a program on first amendment rights as an alternative to criminal charges.
The 13 students and one alumnus were arrested on Nov. 18 and ticketed by City Attorney Carmen Trutanich for failing to disperse. The protesters were set to hear their formal charges at the Los Angeles Airport Courthouse today, but were instead deferred to the program conducted by the American Justice Associates, a private organization.
The voluntary, home study program will cost around $375 and must be completed in 90 days. If the program is not completed, the City Attorney’s office can file a formal criminal complaint against the protesters.
Many of the protesters, who met at the courthouse today, said the program’s fee was an issue. The students plan not to participate in the program because of the cost, and seek other alternatives, said Cynthia Anderson-Barker, an attorney for the protesters.
Jake Minter, a fourth-year economics student and protester who was arrested, said he would rather find an alternative to the program, like attending a free class by UCLA professors, than pay an outside agency to learn about exercising first amendment rights.
“It’s a fee for free speech,” Minter said.
Anderson-Barker said they are meeting with Trutanich on Thursday and are demanding a city attorney hearing, an informal meeting between the city attorney and the protesters that serves as an alternative to the program and criminal prosecution.
She said they feel the city attorney should offer this hearing, which has been afforded to protesters in the past.
“We hope the chancellor and the faculty will write letters to the city attorney and call him asking to dismiss the case,” Anderson-Barker said.
If a city attorney hearing is not granted, they will request a free first amendment class taught by professors at the UCLA School of Law, Anderson-Barker said.
Compiled by Kylie Reynolds, Bruin senior staff.