February 15, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

UC President Bans Campus Encampments and Masking Despite Free Speech Issues, Covid Wave

Michael V. Drake Cites Safety Concerns While Ignoring Violent Counterprotests at UCLA

In a letter to the University of California community today, UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D. announced that he would be banning encampments on campus and masking “to conceal identity” while extolling the UC university systems’ freedom of speech and the UC system’s role in creating the “Free Speech Movement.” This edict ignores that masking among protesters is principally used to stop the spread of Covid 19 in protest crowds and gatherings. 

The letter said, “We make every effort to nurture free expression, and we provide countless opportunities and venues for our students, faculty, other academic appointees, and staff to safely and lawfully share their diverse viewpoints and beliefs. While the vast majority of protests held on our campuses are peaceful and nonviolent, some of the activities we saw this past year were not.”

A potential prohibition on masking on UC campuses is concerning as it comes at a time when the United States is experiencing a Covid wave that is the largest that it’s been in two years and leads the world in Covid deaths. WHO’s website notes that in the 28 days up until August 4, 2.3 thousand people died of Covid in the United States. 

No mention was made of the violent counterprotesters who attacked the Palestine Solidarity Encampment while UCLA’s private security looked on, and the UCLA Chancellor and leadership did nothing to stop the four-hour attack. Three months later, only one person, 18-year-old Edan On, has been arrested in connection with the attack, and the Los Angeles District Attorney refused to press felony charges despite hours of video and photo evidence. 

The letter adds, “My office and campus leaders have spent the summer reflecting with students, faculty, staff, Regents, and others on the events of the past year.” However, in a written statement, Graeme Blair, a Faculty for Justice in Palestine at UCLA member, said, “Drake has not accepted student encampment leaders’ offer to meet and discuss investments across the UC.”

Blair added, “At UCLA, the university failed to protect students from outside agitators who attacked with fireworks and bear spray, and then called in the California Highway Patrol to beat up their own students and shoot them with rubber bullets, sending dozens to the hospital. These policies have one simple goal: stop dissent on campus about UC’s complicity in the war on Gaza.”

The Daily Bruin pointed out that Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications Mary Osako claimed in a statement that law enforcement was called in by campus administration at around 12:12 a.m. May 1, but police did not converge on the site until two hours later. At the time of the statement, the attack on students and faculty inside the encampment had been going on for about two hours.

in News
Related Posts

UCLA Suspends Pro-Palestinian Student Groups Following Protest at UC Regent’s Home

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Chancellor Cites Potential Student Code Violations; Student Groups Reject Allegations UCLA has suspended two pro-Palestinian student organizations following a protest...

Flash Flood Warning Issued for Burn Areas, LAFD Officer Swept off Road by Debris

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Storm Damage Closes Pacific Coast Highway, Officials Urge Caution Not even members of the LAFD are being spared from the...

Brentwood Crime Report: February 1, 2025 – February 8, 2025

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

By Senior Lead Officer Matthew Kirk For the first week of February 2025, Senior Lead Officer Matthew Kirk has written...

Culver City Police Investigate Disturbing Incident in Culver City Park

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Police Secure Area as Investigation Unfolds on Thursday Morning The Culver City Police Department received a call around 7:23 a.m....

Here are Your Last Minute Ideas if You Still Haven’t Planned Your Valentine’s Day Date

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Luscious Cookies, Delightful Drinks, Full Dinners at Home or In House, We’ve Got Them Okay, maybe you have been a...

Beloved Baldwin Hills Family-Owned Restaurant Post & Beam to Close After 13 Years

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Community Icon Shuts Doors as Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Redevelopment  In yet another loss for the Los Angeles culinary community,...

Santa Monica Hotel Event Space Offers Affordability, Accessibility

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Elevate Your Events with Versatile Venues and Exceptional Service Coastal stays and eclectic event spaces don’t have to be expensive....

Flour Pizzeria & Cafe to Bring Brooklyn-Style Pizza to Brentwood This Week

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Family-Owned Favorite from the Palisades to Open on San Vicente  Flour Pizzeria & Cafe, a restaurant from Pacific Palisades run...

(Video) The Willows Students Bring a 50-Foot Dragon to Life Through Art and Teamwork

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Kristy Acero, The Willows DK-4th Grade Art teacher, led her students in a large-scale, collaborative project, with each grade creating...

ART& 2025: NeueHouse Unveils Inspiring Lineup Celebrating Feminine Leadership

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Four-Day Event in Venice Beach Explores Creativity, Activism, and Cultural Impact NeueHouse has unveiled the schedule for ART& 2025, a...

Brentwood Community Council Meeting For February, First Meeting After Palisades Fire

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Local Leaders, Crime Updates, and Community Discussions on the Agenda The Brentwood Community Council will host its next meeting on...

Canned Tuna Pulled from Shelves Over Botulism Contamination Risk

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

El Segundo Seafood Company Issues Voluntary Recall Through FDA Tri-Union Seafoods has issued a voluntary recall of certain canned tuna...

Powerful Storm to Bring Heavy Rains, Possible Debris Flow to Los Angeles

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Officials Warn of Risks, Urge Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather A Pacific storm system is expected to bring widespread...

Retailers Impose Egg Purchase Restrictions as Supply Chain Disruptions Cause Concern

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Egg Limits Are Back – What’s Causing the Shortage? Retailers across the United States, including Costco and Trader Joe’s, have...

Esteemed Brentwood Entertainment Reporter Sam Rubin Honored at Major Awards Ceremonies

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Industry Pays Tribute to a Broadcasting Legend With Special Recognition The late Sam Rubin, a longtime and beloved entertainment reporter...