Students, supporters argue damage estimated was punitively inflated

Nearly a dozen Case Western Reserve University students and activists charged for their roles in widespread anti-Israel vandalism on campus have paid more than $350,000 in restitution to clear their names, Axios Cleveland reported Tuesday.

“The payments are part of a legal agreement with the Cuyahoga County prosecutor’s office under the pre-trial diversion program. If all stipulations are met, the defendants’ criminal records will be cleared,” the outlet reported. “…Three of the students still face expulsion via university conduct proceedings running parallel to the legal case.”

The resolution comes after an Ohio grand jury indicted the 11 pro-Palestinian protesters in February for their alleged role in causing major damage to Case Western Reserve University during a November 2024 protest over the Israel-Hamas war.

According to a statement from the prosecutor’s office: “They split into two groups and vandalized both the north and south sides of campus. They dumped and smeared gallons of red paint over multiple buildings, walkways, outdoor tables, an electrical pole, and on a statue of retired chemistry professor ‘Doc Oc’ — causing $400,000 in damages.”

In response to the agreement, the “CWRU 11,” a name given to the group by those sympathetic to their cause, made a public statement that the legal system tried “to scare us into silence.” They have also claimed the $400,000 figure is inflated.

“CWRU has not provided a breakdown for these costs. The students and their supporters contend the number was punitively inflated,” Axios reported. “…Many of them have taken on new debt and worked multiple jobs to help make payments, and are also fundraising online.”

MORE: Pro-Palestinian protest at Case Western caused $400,000 in damages; now 11 are being indicted