Breaking News: Judge dismisses UC Regent Jay Sures’ request for restraining order against UCLA student; grants anti-SLAPP motion.
LOS ANGELES — A California judge dismissed a restraining order filed by University of California Regent Jay Sures against graduate student Dylan Kupsh and granted an anti-SLAPP motion, ruling that the order appeared aimed at suppressing the student’s First Amendment rights.
Kupsh, a member of Students for Justice in Palestine, was present at a Feb. 5, 2025, protest outside Sures’ home. Protesters called for divestment from companies tied to the Israeli military and banged drums early in the morning. Sures alleged that Kupsh was a “ring leader” of an “angry mob” and sought a temporary restraining order.
Sures submitted a declaration characterizing the protest as threatening, citing signs held by demonstrators as evidence. He also relied on a report from UCPD that identified Kupsh as a key participant. Kupsh responded with an anti-SLAPP motion, arguing that Sures’ legal action violated California law, which protects individuals from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) designed to stifle free speech. Kupsh’s motion also asserted that the protest was peaceful and nonviolent.
Tuesday, Judge Kimberly Repecka heard arguments and ruled in favor of Kupsh, agreeing that the restraining order appeared intended to limit his First Amendment rights. The ruling means the temporary order will not be enforced, and Kupsh may seek compensation for legal fees from Sures.
During the two-hour hearing, Sures’ attorneys argued that a protest banner depicting pigs wearing police hats instead showed pigs wearing yarmulkes, comparing protesters to the Ku Klux Klan. According to court observers, Sures’ legal team repeatedly referenced offensive language in an attempt to support their claim. The judge rejected the argument, noting the historical use of the pigs analogy in protest movements.
Judge Repecka acknowledged that the protesters’ conduct was disruptive but emphasized that the legal standards for granting a restraining order were not met. Much of the evidence submitted by Sures, including social media posts not authored by Kupsh, was dismissed.
The UC Regent was present in court with bodyguards and appeared upset after the ruling. His legal team represented the University of California rather than him personally.
In a statement to Poppy Press, attorney Thomas Harvey, who represented Kupsh, said the decision demonstrates the importance of protecting free speech:
“Today the court recognized that rich and powerful people like Jay Sures cannot bully anti-genocide protesters into silence. But this is about more than Jay Sures. UCLA and the entire UC system must understand that the movement to end the genocide in Palestine cannot be silenced. No matter how many arrests, student conduct meetings, or lawsuits they file, there are lawyers like Ben Gharagozli, Mark Kleiman, and myself, among many others, who will fight for them.”
Anti-SLAPP laws in California are designed to prevent the weaponization of lawsuits to intimidate individuals exercising free speech on public issues. Kupsh did not immediately comment outside of the statement issued by his attorneys. UCLA officials did not respond to requests for comment on the case.
