Stanford students face trial over felony charges stemming from pro-Palestinian protest

Trial is the most severe criminal case brought against US students who staged protests against Israel's war in Gaza

Five Stanford University students are facing trial beginning on Monday over felony charges stemming from a pro-Palestinian protest on campus - the most severe criminal case brought against some of the thousands of students who staged nationwide protests and encampments against Israel's war in Gaza.

The northern California students are part of a group of 12 who were charged with felony conspiracy to trespass and felony vandalism in connection to an hour-long, June 2024 occupation during which the group barricaded themselves inside the university president's office to demand Stanford consider a student resolution to divest from Israel, among other requests.