February 14, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

UC Faculty Members Across the State Demand Action Following Campus Violence

Faculty and Staff Sign Letter Demanding Justice Following Brutal Attacks at UCLA

By Dolores Quintana

1000 members of the University of California faculty and staff have become signatories on a letter that was released on May 1, after a horrific night of vigilante violence on the University of California, Los Angeles’ (UCLA) campus. It decries what they describe as the failure of Chancellor Gene Block to protect students’ safety and uphold their rights to free speech. It denounces the violence against students and calls for immediate action to rectify the situation.

The group has a full list of demands which can be read here

UC Faculty additionally stated, “The evening of April 30, 2024, was one of the ugliest in UCLA’s recent history. A violent mob attacked UCLA students who had assembled for days in the Royce Quad encampment. Dozens of live video streams, including from local news and Daily Bruin reporters, showed masked and unmasked agitators ramming the encampment’s barricades, shooting fireworks into the encampment, and attacking protestors with pepper spray, two-by-fours, and metal pipes. According to UCLA faculty who were present, “This was a brutal, violent attack, it was unbelievable,” leaving students with chemical burns and lasting trauma.

It was a brutal siege that lasted for hours. UCLA leadership did nothing to prevent the attack; and did nothing for five hours as the attacks escalated throughout the night. If anything, your April 30th message requesting the disbanding of the encampment and threatening discipline appeared to embolden these outside agitators. You abandoned UCLA students, leaving them to protect themselves from chemical weapons and de-escalate the situation on their own. The UCLA administration did nothing to intervene.”

On Thursday, May 9, representatives of 800 faculty members held a press conference and tried to deliver the letter to Chancellor Gene Block at Murphy Hall. A group of 100 graduate students also marched to deliver their demands to Murphy Hall. Both groups were refused entrance to Murphy Hall. The building’s entrance was blocked by about 20 CSC and APEX Security guards according to The Daily Bruin. 

“We hereby demand that Chancellor Block resign immediately,” the letter states, “and ask the UCLA Academic Senate and UC-AFT to pursue a vote of no confidence.” It further demands that the next Chancellor commits to upholding the full free speech and assembly rights of students, faculty, and staff.

The letter also calls for UCLA to drop all legal charges and grant full amnesty to those involved in the encampment and subsequent protests. Additionally, it demands transparency regarding UCLA’s investments and calls for divestment from military weapons production companies, aligning with the demands of student protestors.

The faculty and staff express their immediate focus on these demands while outlining a longer list of expectations for UCLA to fulfill. They request California Attorney General Rob Bonta to open an independent investigation into the actions of UCLA leadership, UCPD, LAPD, and CHP during the recent events.

Furthermore, they advocate for the establishment of a fund by the UC system to provide financial and healthcare assistance to affected students, including replacing lost valuables, covering medical bills, and offering trauma-informed mental healthcare services.

Faculty members and staff are considering various forms of action, including the possibility of withholding labor until their demands are met. The faculty and staff’s letter comes amidst escalating tensions at UCLA, with the UAW Graduate Student Academic Workers planning a vote on a strike in response to the recent events.

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...

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...

The Century City Women’s Business Council Holds a Galentine’s Soirée with a Purpose

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

A Glamorous Evening of Friendship, Cocktails, and Giving Back to Wildfire Relief The Maybourne Beverly Hills, in collaboration with the...

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...

Beverly Hills Eases Housing Rules to Help Fire Victims Struggling to Find New Homes

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

City Aligns With Governor’s Order To Provide Emergency Rental Relief  The Beverly Hills City Council voted Friday to modify a...

New Bill Targets Crime in Disaster Zones – Here’s What You Need to Know

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Lawmakers Push for Tougher Penalties To Protect Vulnerable Communities California lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down...