The University of California, Los Angeles has agreed to pay six million dollars to settle a civil rights lawsuit brought by three Jewish students and a professor, who alleged the university failed to protect them during pro-Palestinian protests that escalated into blockades. A federal judge ruled that the university was responsible for ensuring safe and equal access to campus facilities, rejecting its defense that it was not accountable for the actions of demonstrators. The case has sparked national debate about the responsibilities of universities to balance free expression with student safety and has prompted the University of California system to introduce new protest guidelines. Legal experts say the settlement marks a turning point, emphasizing that institutions cannot ignore student safety in the name of neutrality or free speech.