Southwest
Judge denies request to lift ban on ASU students suspended for anti-Israel protests: report
A judge in Arizona has denied a motion that would have lifted the suspension of twenty students arrested last week amid anti-Israel protests.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona denied the Arizona State University students’ motion to have their college suspensions lifted on Friday, according to local outlet ABC 15.
The defendants filed the lawsuit against the Arizona Board of Regents on Tuesday, alleging that their suspension from ASU is causing “irreparable harm” due to their inability to enroll in classes.
UNIVERSITIES CRACK DOWN ON ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS AS PROTESTERS CALL FOR ‘AMNESTY’
Protesters and law enforcement officers face off on the Alumni Lawn at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. (Rey Covarrubias Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK)
The students, who are charged with trespassing, also alleged that the suspensions violate their First Amendment rights.
Approximately 72 individuals were arrested on Apr. 26 and taken into custody while continuing protests on the Arizona State University campus.
Police officers cleared the Old Main lawn area overnight — those arrested included both students and faculty.
TRUMP SAYS VIOLENCE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES ‘HAS TO STOP IMMEDIATELY’ AMID VIOLENT ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS
Pro-Palestinian protesters calling for an end to fighting in Gaza gather on Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, with some planning to camp out overnight on April 26, 2024. (Rey Covarrubias Jr./The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Judge John Tuchi ruled that the students did not provide sufficient evidence that their First Amendment rights had been violated.
He also ruled that there was insufficient evidence that the university’s suspension of students was causing “irreparable harm.” The trespassing charges at the heart of the lawsuit have yet to be brought to court.
Students and faculty have demanded the university drop any charges against the protesters with ongoing demonstrations since the arrests.
Arizona State University alumnus Tarteel Alimam speaks as students gather at Alumni Lawn at ASU Tempe Campus for a news conference concerning protests on campus. ( Megan Mendoza/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Another institution of higher learning in the state — the University of Arizona — is embroiled in its own struggle to suppress protesters occupying areas of the campus.
University president Robert C. Robbins said in a May 1 statement that he directed university officials, campus police, Tucson Police and the Pima County Sheriff’s Office to “immediately enforce campus use policies and all corresponding laws without further warning.”
State troopers were seen on campus with pepper ball guns and gas masks. Demonstrators were initially given a 10:30 p.m. deadline to leave or face arrest, although arrests did not begin until much later.
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Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
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