SAN DIEGO — The Ethnic Studies Department at UC San Diego is calling for the resignation of Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla, according to an article published on the UCSD Guardian website. The UCSD Guardian is an independent student newspaper, published by UCSD students. The Ethnic Studies Department outlined their call for resignation and list of demands in an Instagram post.
“Faculty of the Ethnic Studies department at UC San Diego are outraged at the vicious suppression of students by our administration under the leadership of Chancellor Pradeep Khosla. While the Chancellor wrongly claims that the encampment threatened safety, it was the administration’s response that posed the real threat.”
The list of demands included: the immediate resignation of Khosla, amnesty for those involved in the encampment and police permanently and immediately removed from campus.
Wednesday afternoon, about 1,000 protesters gathered at Sungod Lawn and marched through the heart of campus for an hour. The crowd then gathered outside the Price Center and demonstrated for another hour. Protesters echoed calls for Chancellor Khosla to step down.
"I think the encampment was peaceful, one of the most beautiful cultural spaces at UCSD, there were people of all kinds, programming, movie showings, teachings. It was a really liberated space of all types and to shut it down with massive police force was a disgrace and it runs counter to what students learn in their classes," said Psychology Professor Adam Aron as he marched with the group.
Tuesday evening, a labor union representing 48,000 graduate student workers across the University of California system gathered on the UC San Diego campus to stand up for free speech and the right to peacefully protest, both of which UAW 4811 believes were violated when law enforcement dismantled the "Gaza Solidarity" encampment early Monday morning.
Student protesters were taken away by police in handcuffs or zip ties and processed. UC San Diego Police reported that 64 arrests were made during the dismantling of the illegal encampment on campus. Of those arrested, 40 were current students and 24 were unaffiliated with the University or their status is unknown. The students that were arrested have been placed under immediate interim suspension according to the UC San Diego Communications Dept.
UC San Diego’s Environmental Health and Safety personnel and UC San Diego Police reported Wednesday, May 8 that the following were some of the items discovered in the illegal encampment that was dismantled by authorities on Monday, May 6:
- One sword – black, ninja style
- Two propane cooking stoves (fire code violations)
- Two propane tanks (fire code violations)
- Uninterruptible power supplies with extension cords (fire code violations)
- Motor oil
- Multiple small and large wooden shields
- Aerosol paint cans
The San Diego Faculty Association asked that the suspensions be lifted and any potential pursuit of criminal charges be halted.
About 200 of UCSD's 3,800 faculty members signed a statement saying they "were shocked and outraged by UCSD's decision to send riot police to arrest protesters on May 6. The militarized response has only chilled free speech, escalated tensions, reduced safety on campus, and destroyed the trust needed for negotiations and shared governance."
More than 450 graduate students signed a statement saying that "the decision to characterize the protest as non-peaceful and to deploy law enforcement to forcefully clear the encampment is an egregious violation of the principles of justice, equity, and freedom of expression that our institution claims to uphold."
In a statement, the administration said the arrests were made after protesters were ordered multiple times by law enforcement to disperse, leading to at times tense confrontations.
"UC San Diego encourages and allows peaceful protests, but this encampment violated campus policy and the law, and grew to pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of the campus community," said UCSD Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla.
Here is the full statement from the Chancellor of UC San Diego:
Early this morning, law enforcement authorities successfully removed an illegal encampment on the UC San Diego campus after five days of attempts to communicate with participants and multiple, clear requests to disperse. UC San Diego encourages and allows peaceful protests, but this encampment violated campus policy and the law and grew to pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of the campus community.
Sixty-four individuals were arrested after refusing the dispersal requests. Of those, 40 were identified as students and are facing interim suspension for violation of the student code of conduct. Twenty-four are either unidentified at this time or are unaffiliated with the university. Two minor injuries were reported.
Before any arrests were made this morning, encampment participants were repeatedly provided with opportunities and warnings to disperse. While many people voluntarily left the encampment, regrettably others chose to stay and be arrested. The campsite was dismantled within one hour and without any serious incidents.
The decision to clear the campsite was made due to consideration of the significant dangers to people inside and outside of the encampment. Upon entering the campsite, wooden stakes, propane tanks, metal and plywood shields, aerosol spray cans and a sword were discovered, all of which posed unacceptable hazards for health, fire safety and security. Additionally, participants denied access to fire marshal and health inspectors, established check points and limited free access to areas of campus. These are all intolerable actions on the UC San Diego campus, which exists for the benefit of all university affiliates.
After the encampment was removed, protesters interfered with police operations, including physically obstructing San Diego County Sheriff officers and buses, blocking movement and banging on windows in an attempt to hinder the arrest process. This resulted in one additional arrest.
Dialogue, free speech (https://freespeech.ucsd.edu/) and academic freedom are cornerstones of our university. At the same time, we must ensure that Tritons, regardless of opinions and identity, have equal access to our campus and that everyone has the opportunity to work and learn in an environment free from harassment, intimidation or discrimination. We will not waver in our focus to sustain the safety, well-being and success of our campus community as we fulfill our academic mission.
Resources and Support
During these difficult times, if you are experiencing feelings of distress or anxiety, UC San Diego has resources to support you (https://updates.ucsd.edu/israel-hamas-war/index.html). Students seeking immediate mental health and coping support can contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) (https://caps.ucsd.edu/) at (858) 534-3755, and faculty and staff can contact Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (https://blink.ucsd.edu/sponsor/hr/divisions-units/programs-rewards/fsap.html) at (858) 534-5523.
Pradeep K. Khosla
Chancellor
Watch Related: What charges do pro-Palestine UC San Diego protesters face? (May 7, 2024)