Toledo Arraigned on Protest-Related Charges, Calls Case ‘Political Repression’

Toledo spoke to reporters ahead of his arraignment Monday afternoon. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

Toledo appeared before the Honorable Judge Joyce Hinrichs facing misdemeanor charges of assault, battery, and false imprisonment – all arising from an incident during the February 27 protest in which he allegedly physically blocked an administrator from preventing other students from entering a doorway. 

Speaking at the press conference ahead of the arraignment, Toledo told the crowd, “I still believe that protesting is not a crime. I stand for free speech, and I think that what they are doing to me is a sign of the times – a sign that they are facing pressure from the Trump administration and federal bodies with far-right agendas that would love to silence people who stand up for what’s right.”

Supporters held up signs at Monday’s press conference ahead of Rick Toledo’s  arraignment. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

Toledo said Monday he has received no update on whether the DA intends to pursue it. “They haven’t filed it yet, but it could be that they’re considering filing it still,” Toledo said.

“My thought is that they took all of my technology – they raided my house, took my computer, my phone, all these things – and I think they’re desperately trying to find something that they can use to prove that conspiracy,” adding, “I think that’s probably why it’s still floating right now.”

However, as of Monday afternoon, the conspiracy charge had not been filed, and Toledo has not been able to recover his technology, including his work laptop and cell phone. 

Full statement by Rick Toledo outside of Humboldt County Courthouse. [Video by Ryan Hutson]

Full Court Press 

Cramming into what a bailiff described as “one of the courthouse’s smallest courtrooms”, the deputy notified the group of roughly two dozen supporters before the proceedings began that not only would protest signs not be allowed in the court room per order of the court, but that the audience would be limited due to space limitations. 

The room was full, with three bailiffs standing by. Each deputy was observed carefully eyeing the group of protesters who were clad in kufiyas with some wearing t-shirts printed for the occasion aimed at advocating for the protest demands of students: Divestment to “remove $500,000 from apartheid, genocide, war” and also to “become a Sanctuary campus” while advocating for free speech on campus. 

A screengrab from the SDS Humboldt account shows several posts – locally made and others from far away campuses – promoting a phone-in call to action on Toledo’s behalf. 

With a phone banking action taking place at the same time, student activists and supporters on college campuses from coast to coast were asked to call in to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s office demanding that the charges be dropped, it was unclear whether the court was aware of the social media campaign to lobby on Toledo’s behalf – but in any case, issued the explicit warning that any person seen with their cell phone out would be ejected from the hearing immediately. 

That warning is not typically issued at the outset of court hearings, while it is commonly understood that phones and electronic devices are to be silenced while in the courtroom. But, in a case that has been leveraging social media to like-minded students and affinity organizations (such as other chapters of SDS) as a way of drumming up support for Toledo’s case, the strict ‘no phones out’ clarification was not surprising.

As for the far-reaching support for him evident on Instagram, Toledo said the national solidarity response – from SDS chapters, immigrant rights organizations, and climate groups – has sustained him. “Sometimes I think people feel the crushing weight of the people in power who want to bring an iron fist down upon us – but we have to remember that there is a strong network of people fighting back all around the country, and we all stand with each other, and we will not give up so easily.”

School Conduct Case

Toledo remains on suspension from Cal Poly Humboldt and has not been able to return to classes. A conduct hearing was held recently, and he said he is scheduled to meet Friday with a university official to review a proposed resolution agreement.

He said he does not expect a fair process. “The way that the school works, it is a kangaroo court,” he said. 

Here, Toledo discusses possible repercussions from an earlier protest on campus, for which he received a warning following disciplinary review of the matter in October of 2025. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

Explaining that he was optimistically cautious, Toledo said he ultimately understood that he was at the mercy of the University’s disciplinary system. “So if they’re just set on taking me down, they will do that. The only defense I have at that point is to defeat these charges, apply public pressure, and potentially pursue legal avenues after that, if necessary.”

His criminal defense attorney, Matthew Kellegrew of the Civil Liberties Defense Center, appeared via Zoom for Monday’s arraignment and is expected to appear in person as the case proceeds. Kellegrew appeared via Zoom for the arraignment on Toledo’s behalf.

“In 2024,” Toledo told reporters, “when we had the occupation of Siemens Hall, they used police brutality… they brutalized students who were trying to do a sit-in. They immediately responded with violence and trying to silence them and criminalize them for standing with the people that are experiencing genocide.” 

However, at the time Cal Poly Humboldt stated, they were concerned about the “continuing destruction of property and other lawlessness in the central part of campus. This has caused complex operational challenges that require the closure of other facilities on campus.”

Toledo argued the pattern has only worsened since then, with time, place and manner policies tightened across CSU and UC campuses under pressure from state officials. “On many campuses,” Toledo asserted the tightening has “created a chilling effect where people are scared to go and speak out and fight back because of how heavy-handed it is.” 

‘Waste’ of a Case

Toledo closed his remarks with a direct appeal to District Attorney Stacy Eads to drop the charges against him. “Listen to the people,” Toledo said, as he made eye contact with the camera, “This is not what people want their money going towards. Pursuing a case like this is a waste of resources. It is a waste of time. It is repressive.”  

An admissions advertisement at Cal Poly Humboldt tagged with graffiti reflects a student perspective in favor of student protest on campus. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

He also acknowledged the financial strain the case has placed on him personally, noting he may need to find work immediately depending on the outcome of the university conduct process, and that fundraising efforts are underway.

Toledo’s trail date has been set for July 13. His status with the University remains in limbo, with a further disciplinary action yet to be decided on. RHBB’s coverage of the lead-up to this hearing (precipitating events and related subsequent court filings) can be found in the links below. 

EARLIER: 

• Students Briefly Occupy Siemens Hall at Cal Poly Humboldt This Afternoon
• Cal Poly Humboldt Responds After Yesterday’s Occupation of Siemens Hall by Protestors
• Students Dispute Cal Poly Humboldt’s Investment Claims After Siemens Hall Protest
• Students Occupy Nelson Hall at Cal Poly Humboldt, Citing Unmet Demands
• ‘We Will Not Accept the Response’: Students Remain Overnight in Cal Poly Humboldt’s Nelson Hall 
• Students Vacate Nelson Hall Overnight; No Arrests Reported 
• Cal Poly Issues Interim Suspensions After Nelson Hall Student Sit-In
• California Attorney General Files Civil Case Against CPH Student Arrested on Criminal Charges
• Student Organizer Arrested, Attorney General’s Office Prosecutes Restraining Order for Cal Poly, as Local DA Weighs Criminal Charges
• [UPDATE: Interview with Toledo] Cal Poly Humboldt Student Activist Rick Toledo Released on Bail
• Charges Filed in Cal Poly Protest Case – All Misdemeanors, No Conspiracy Count