The students in question disrupted an event featuring a speaker from the DHS. Why should they be shielded?
Campus Reform reports:
UCLA warns Federalist Society against identifying protesters after event disruptionMembers of the Federalist Society at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law say administrators warned them against identifying protesters who disrupted their April 21 event, raising concerns about unequal enforcement of campus policies.Department of Homeland Security attorney James Percival spoke at the event before more than 150 protesters interrupted with chants and shouting, according to video footage. The disruptions prevented Percival from continuing at multiple points.Following the event, Assistant Dean Bayrex Matri allegedly advised Federalist Society president Matthew Weinsburg not to identify the protesters, warning that the group could face backlash and potential liability, according to emails reviewed by Campus Reform.Dean Michael Waterstone further warned that if names were shared and any misconduct occurred, “the student organization and/or individual students could be connected to it … and subjected to campus processes,” according to a statement.The administration stated that some individuals received warnings, while other protest activity remained “consistent with the First Amendment and University policies.A UCLA School of Law spokesperson told Campus Reform that “the initial communication was not intended to suggest otherwise, and we have apologized for any lack of clarity. UCLA School of Law also encourages students to engage one another with respect and care.”The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) sent a letter to UCLA urging the administration to retract its warning.“UCLA may not restrict protected speech merely to shield student protesters from consequences of their actions,” FIRE program counsel Jessie Appleby wrote.
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