Portland for Palestine - Stand with Cal Poly Humboldt Students Against State Repression

Portland for Palestine (P4P) stands in solidarity with Rick Toledo, a graduate student and member of the Cal Poly Humboldt Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). We condemn his retaliatory arrest, his firing from his teaching position, and the felony charges brought against him by the state of California for his support of student protests. These charges are obviously politically motivated, aimed at making an example of any student who organizes protests in their community.

On March 6th, university police raided Toledo’s home in the middle of the night and took him into custody without bail. Though not yet charged, he faces four felony counts: false imprisonment, conspiracy, assault, and battery. In total, these charges carry up to 14 years in prison. The California Attorney General has personally signed off on a civil lawsuit against Toledo, signalling the state’s desire for maximum repression of dissent.

This attack comes days after he was suspended and fired. His first court appearance is April 20th, 2026.

This is not an isolated incident. Students at Cal Poly Humboldt have a proud history of resistance. In 2024, during the spring encampment movement for Gaza, students courageously took over Siemens Hall for nine days, capturing the attention of millions around the world as they stood up for Palestine in the face of brutal police repression.

Now the university and state are seeking retribution and their target is Toledo. They seek to unleash the full weight of state repression to send a chilling message to any student or worker who dares speak out.

P4P condemns this arrest and the threat of criminal charges as an attack on the right to speak and protest for Palestine. Whatever one’s views, students and educators must be free to take a stand without facing prison and the loss of their livelihood. The weaponization of the legal system against student activists is unacceptable and cowardly. We demand that the District Attorney of Humboldt County drop all charges against Rick Toledo!

In solidarity,
Portland for Palestine