Thursday, May 19, 2016

Jewish Students Disrupted at UC Irvine

Gary Fouse
fousesquawk
http://garyfouse.blogspot.com


Hat tip Ami and Squid



                                                                                 "If the shirt fits...."



Last night, Students Supporting Israel was holding an event at UC Irvine when it was disrupted by persons identified as Students for Justice in Palestine and other pro-Palestinian protesters. Below is a statement from Hillel:

http://www.elabs10.com/functions/message_view.html?mid=4279698&mlid=116679&siteid=2010001851&uid=2737c3787a

Below is a statement by UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman

DEAR ANTEATERS: 
 
Last night, an incident occurred on campus that we believe crossed the 
line of civility, prompting me to re-emphasize our position on free 
speech, safety and mutual respect. 
 
The incident centered on a film-viewing event sponsored by Students 
Supporting Israel. A group of protesters reportedly disrupted the event, 
blocking exit paths. Participants feared for their safety, calling on 
our police force for assistance. 
 
While this university will protect freedom of speech, that right is not 
absolute. As I mentioned in a campus message at the beginning of the 
academic year (freespeech.uci.edu [2]), threats, harassment, incitement 
and defamatory speech are not protected. We must shelter _everyone's_ 
right to speak freely - without fear or intimidation - and allow events 
to proceed without disruption and potential danger. 
 
We are thoroughly analyzing all reports and information regarding this 
incident and investigating whether disciplinary or legal actions are 
appropriate. 
 
The month of May is filled with cultural celebrations and remembrances 
that highlight the diversity of this brilliant campus. Please respect 
your colleagues' right to recognize their heritage and express opinions 
in a safe environment. 
 
FIAT LUX, 
 
  CHANCELLOR HOWARD GILLMAN [3] 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't have any further details on this as yet, but it appears to be just the latest example of brown shirt tactics used by the pro-Palestinian crowd on our campuses. It is despicable, and the time has long since passed when universities-including UCI- start taking strong measures against these punks.
For one thing, it is time for UCI to revoke the SJP charter.
Just this past week, I sent a letter to Dr Douglas Haynes, the head of the Office of Academic Equity, Diversity and Inclusion asking why he doesn't issue statements of concern for Jewish students after he had just issued one on behalf of LGBT students over the Milo Yiannopoulus appearance coming to UCI in June. How timely was that? I await  Mr Haynes's statement on this incident with great anticipation.
Update (Hat tip The Tab) : Here is a partial video. It is profane and disgusting. Among other chants is "F--- the police".
http://thetab.com/us/uc-irvine/2016/05/19/police-called-anti-israel-protest-campus-last-night-558
And here is what SJP had to say on their Facebook page.

"Today we successfully demonstrated against the presence of IDF soldiers on campus. We condemn the Israeli "Defense" Forces, better defined as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), because they enforce Zionist settler colonialism and military occupation of Palestinian land by the Israeli nation-state. Not only does the IOF commit murders and several violences against the Palestinian people, including its use of Gaza as a laboratory for weapons testing, but it enforces militarization and policing all over the world. The United States send delegations of police forces to train in Israel by the IOF, such as the LAPD and NYPD for example.

The presence of IDF and police threatened our coalition of Arab, black, undocumented, trans, and the greater activist community. Thank you to all that came out and bravely spoke out against injuToday we successfully demonstrated against the presence of IDF soldiers on campus. We condemn the Israeli "Defense" Forces, better defined as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), because they enforce Zionist settler colonialism and military occupation of Palestinian land by the Israeli nation-state. Not only does the IOF commit murders and several violences against the Palestinian people, including its use of Gaza as a laboratory for weapons testing, but it enforces militarization and policing all over the world. The United States send delegations of police forces to train in Israel by the IOF, such as the LAPD and NYPD for example.
The presence of IDF and police threatened our coalition of Arab, black, undocumented, trans, and the greater activist community. Thank you to all that came out and bravely spoke out against injustice. ‪#‎UCIntifada‬stice. ‪#‎UCIntifada‬"

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