Cal State Calls For Release Of Professor Arrested At Immigration Raid Protest

CAMARILLO, CA — The California State University faculty union says a professor at the Channel Islands campus was kidnapped by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at a protest last week, but, according to U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, the man was arrested for throwing a tear gas canister.

Jonathan Anthony Caravello, a 37-year-old philosophy professor, was kidnapped by unidentified immigration agents around 2:30 p.m. Thursday at a protest against immigration enforcement activity near the campus, according to the California Faculty Association.

“4 masked agents dragged Jonathan away ... without identifying themselves, without giving the reason for arrest, and without disclosing where they are taking him,” the union wrote in a social media post Friday.

In a follow-up post Saturday, the union wrote that it had located Caravello and was communicating with his family and working to get him legal support.

California State University Channel Islands issued a statement Saturday, acknowledging it was “aware of reports” that Caravello, who is a U.S. citizen, was taken into federal custody.

“At this time, it is our understanding that Professor Caravello was peacefully participating in a protest — an act protected under the First Amendment and a right guaranteed to all Americans. If confirmed, we stand with elected officials and community leaders calling for his immediate release.”

“We are currently gathering additional information to fully understand the circumstances of the incident,” the statement added.

Essayli, the U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, posted Sunday on social media that Caravello was charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer.

“Professor Jonathan Caravello was not ‘kidnapped’ by federal agents,” Essayli wrote in the post. “He was arrested for throwing a tear gas canister at law enforcement.”

Caravello is set to appear in court Monday, according to Essayli.