Ten of the so-called Irvine 11 defendants were convicted of conspiracy
to disrupt a public meeting. Orange County Superior Court Judge Peter Wilson sentenced the ten young men to 56 hours of community service, 3 years of probation and fined them each $270. Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckus was pleased with the verdict but said jail time would have sent a strong message to those
who plan to trump others’ free speech. Attorneys for the UC students say the ruling sets a dangerous precedent outlawing free speech that is unpopular.
Ernesto Arce filed this report from Santa Ana.