Introduction to the Protest
Students and faculty at Cal State Los Angeles are planning a rally on Tuesday to protest the management of the California State University system.
At 1 p.m., students will gather in front of the campus Golden Eagle Sculpture. It is part of a weeklong, statewide series of protests that started Monday at Cal State San Marcos.
Demands of the Protesters
The protesters are asking the CSU system for a variety of actions, including:
- Providing financial transparency and ending budget cuts and layoffs;
- Declaring the CSU campuses a sanctuary from Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and
- Defending Ethnic Studies and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Opposition to Time, Place and Manner Policy
Additionally, they will oppose the Time, Place and Manner policy, which limits when free speech can be practiced on campuses.
“A ‘time, place and manner’ policy allows the CSU to fulfill its educational mission by helping to maintain an environment where its operations and work can be safely conducted without disruption, in accordance with the highest standards of institutional integrity, and with recognition of the rights, privileges and responsibilities of university community members and members of the public,” a statement from the CSU reads.
Background of the Protest
In February, CSUSM students and faculty organized a protest to demand that Chancellor Mildred García and CSU San Marcos President Ellen Neufeldt declare the campus a sanctuary space.
Garcia was on campus to speak at the Social Mobility Symposium and due to her presence, students were barred from the University Student Union without explicit permission. Students attending class in the building were escorted by police.
CSUSM’s Student Leadership and Involvement Office cited two groups involved in the protest — Students for Justice in Palestine and Chicano Student Movement of Aztlán — with violations of student code of conduct.
Others received Time, Place and Manner violation letters.
The protesters believe student activists are being targeted while their tuition is being mismanaged.
“It’s ironic that, at the bottom of the letters, it lets students know that this violation may cause them anxiety and that the administration recommends they reach out to a counselor for assistance,” said Sharon Elise, a CSUSM professor. “That would be nice, except much of our money is going towards the militarization of our police rather than counseling.”
Upcoming Protests
There will be protests at CSULA on Tuesday, CSU Long Beach on Wednesday and CSU Fullerton and Sacramento on Thursday.
“Together, we are taking a stance against systemic attacks on students and faculty, so we may ensure that the CSU remain a place where education, activism, and equity matter,” a statement from the California Faculty Association read.
Conclusion
The protests at Cal State LA and other CSU campuses are a call to action for the university system to address the concerns of students and faculty. The protesters are demanding transparency, equity, and inclusivity, and are opposing policies that limit free speech. The outcome of these protests will be crucial in shaping the future of the CSU system.
FAQs
- What is the purpose of the protest at Cal State LA?
The protest is to demand financial transparency, end budget cuts and layoffs, declare CSU campuses a sanctuary from ICE, and defend Ethnic Studies and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. - What is the Time, Place and Manner policy?
The policy limits when free speech can be practiced on campuses, allowing the CSU to maintain an environment where its operations and work can be safely conducted without disruption. - What happened at the protest at CSUSM in February?
Students and faculty organized a protest to demand that the campus be declared a sanctuary space, but were met with police presence and cited for violations of student code of conduct. - What are the upcoming protest dates?
Protests will be held at CSULA on Tuesday, CSU Long Beach on Wednesday, and CSU Fullerton and Sacramento on Thursday.
