Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society Statement in Solidarity with Rick Toledo

In the middle of the night, on March 6, Cal Poly Humboldt university police officers raided the home of Rick Toledo, nearly breaking down his door, and took him into custody without bail. While he hasn’t been charged, he is facing the possibility of 14 years in prison, with felony charges such as false imprisonment, and conspiracy to commit a crime, assault and battery.

Additionally, on March 19th, university police obtained a warrant to seize electronics from Rick, such as his laptop, phone, and his other electronics.

It is not a crime to demand university administrators to divest from genocide and to demand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) off university campuses. Colleges have a long-standing history of protesting, and students should be able to freely express their view, to protest, and to take a stand.

Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society fully condemns this clear attack on Rick Toledo from the Cal Poly Humboldt school administration, as well as targeting the pro-Palestine and sanctuary campus movement.

Tampa Bay SDS has personally been under political repression for our solidarity with Palestine, and we fully stand with the students of Humboldt to march for Palestine! We demand that Rick Toledo not be charged with these bogus charges, and we demand that his electronics be returned to him immediately.

Don’t Charge Rick Toledo!
Give Him His Property Back!
Protesting for Palestine Is Not a Crime!