The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law is facing accusations of discrimination after an administrator allegedly threatened to discipline a conservative campus group for identifying protesters who disrupted a recent event. The controversy stems from an April 21 event featuring Department of Homeland Security (DHS) general counsel James Percival, where more than 150 protesters swarmed the talk, booing, shouting profanities, and, according to Percival, making death threats.
In an April 22 email obtained by Fox News Digital, UCLA assistant dean for student affairs Bayrex Martí warned Federalist Society president Matthew Weinberg against identifying the disruptors. Martí wrote, 'I have also seen requests online to identify students in the audience who are visible in video recordings. I would strongly encourage you and other organizers to not disclose those details.' Martí warned that if the names were shared and those protesters subsequently faced online criticism or harassment, the Federalist Society itself would be held responsible for 'reasonably predictable' consequences.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) sent a letter urging the university to retract what it calls a threat against Federalist Society members’ rights. FIRE’s program counsel, Jessie Appleby, argued that students attending a public, recorded event should not be subject to such restrictions.
Background and Context
The event featured DHS general counsel James Percival, who claimed protesters made death threats during the disruption. The Federalist Society, a conservative-leaning student organization, has been at the center of similar controversies in the past. UCLA has not yet publicly responded to the allegations of discrimination or the letter from FIRE.
Perspectives and Reactions
Supporters of the university’s stance argue that identifying protesters could lead to harassment and violate student privacy. Critics, including FIRE, contend that the university is infringing on free speech rights by discouraging the identification of individuals who disrupted a public event. The incident has reignited debates about free speech, student conduct, and the role of universities in managing campus protests.