We previously covered the UCLA anti-Israel divestment resolution, which was voted down 7-7 by the student council after an intense and contentious all-night session.
One of the co-sponsors and a strong supporter of the resolution was Community Service Commissioner Omar Arce, as reported by The Daily Bruin (emphasis added):
Facilities Commissioner Armen Hadjimanoukian of the Bruins United slate, Community Service Commissioner Omar Arce, an independent councilmember, and General Representative Lizzy Naameh of the LET’S ACT! slate sponsored the resolution….In a second straw vote later in the meeting, no councilmembers changed their vote. Student Wellness Commissioner Savannah Badalich, Naameh, External Vice President Maryssa Hall, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Jessica Trumble and Arce still said they would support the resolution.
Arce not only sponsored the resolution, he also endorsed a letter claiming “Islamophobic commentary” in opposition to the divestment resolution necessitated a “Diversity Requirement.”
The Daily Bruin reports that Arce has been arrested on charges of false imprisonment related to alleged sexual batteries:
An undergraduate student council member was arrested by university police Wednesday on a charge of false imprisonment.On Wednesday, a female student reported a series of sexual batteries between October and March. The report led to 21-year-old Omar Arce’s arrest, according to a police report released Thursday afternoon.UCPD arrested Arce, the Undergraduate Students Association Council Community service commissioner and a fourth-year international development studies student, at 10:47 a.m. Wednesday and transported him to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in West Hollywood.Arce was booked about 11:30 a.m. on $50,000 bail. He is currently being held at the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles.
The local Fox affiliate further reports on the arrest:
Early Sunday, Arce was released on bond:
Undergraduate student government officer Omar Arce, who is facing sexual battery and other charges, was released on bond Sunday morning.Arce was released from the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles about 3 a.m. Sunday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He was being held on $50,000 bail.He pleaded not guilty Friday to three counts of sexual battery, one count of battery and one count of false imprisonment. If he is convicted of all charges, he could face a maximum sentence of four and a half years in prison.
(Note – there have been conflicting reports as to whether Arce was charged with sexual battery or just false imprisonment.)
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