UC Berkeley Sued Over Public Records Concerning Restrictions on Pro-Palestinian Student Group

BERKELEY, CA — October 20, 2026 — A lawsuit filed today in Alameda County Superior Court seeks to compel UC Berkeley to comply with the California Public Records Act by disclosing whether records exist concerning new controversial policies restricting the activities of Law Students for Justice in Palestine (LSJP) at Berkeley Law.

The lawsuit, filed by Robbie Powelson, alleges that UC Berkeley failed to fulfill its statutory obligation to determine whether responsive records exist and identify the legal grounds for withholding any records. A case management conference has been set for December 17. The case is Robbie Powelson v. Regents of the University of California, No. 26CV216623.

“The University’s response to the records request is concerning because they are refusing to admit or deny whether responsive documents exist. This position circumvents the entire procedural process of the California Public Records Act, which requires public agencies to promptly identify whether responsive documents exist, and then promptly produce them or provide legal justification for withholding” Robbie Powelson said. “The UC’s response is also peculiar because in other public records requests I have made to UC Berkeley, they have promptly provided reasons for withholding documents. It is unclear why they are treating this request differently.”

The public records act request itself can be followed on MuckRock News: UC Berkeley Law Palestinian suppression query

The litigation follows years of controversy at Berkeley Law over its treatment of pro-Palestinian student organizations, including disputes involving student speech, organizational recognition, and access to university facilities.

According to the petition, Berkeley Law implemented new policies following its settlement with the Brandeis Center that resulted in Berkeley Law restricting Law Students for Justice in Palestine (LSJP), a longstanding student organization, from utilizing campus facilities. Those restrictions have escalated in recent months, with Berkeley Law now refusing to post any flyer at the school where LSJP is listed as a co-sponsor.

Recent reporting on Berkeley Law’s restrictions on LSJP can be found in The Daily Californian.

Lawsuit Launches New Transparency Project

The lawsuit marks the launch of the Public Records Enforcement Project (PREP), a transparency initiative founded by Yesica Prado and Robbie Powelson.

PREP uses litigation to enforce public records laws and hold government agencies accountable. The project focuses on obtaining records that public agencies resist disclosing, reporting its findings to the public and news outlets, and collaborating with journalists and organizations to uncover information relevant to their work.

More information is available at GetTheRecords.org.