UC Chancellor Gillman speaks out

In response to the recent attacks and threats and in light of the one received in our community this week, UC Chancellor Howard Gillman speaks out against such acts which is what an education leader is supposed to do. Hint, hint. 

Standing Together Against Hate and Anti-Semitism

Feb. 28, 2017

To the Anteater community:

The dramatic increase nationwide in threats of violence against Jewish schools, community centers and other organizations – 90 bomb threats since the start of the year and 20 just yesterday – hit close to home Monday afternoon when our neighboring Merage Jewish Community Center received a bomb threat and was forced to evacuate.

These despicable demonstrations of violent anti-Semitism assault not only members of our Jewish community but all people of goodwill. Our Jewish students, faculty, staff, partners and neighbors should take strength from knowing that the UCI community stands with them during these troubling times.

These events further illustrate the importance of the “Higher Ground” report by our Office of Inclusive Excellence and its call to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance and bigotry. Programming under the “Higher Ground” initiative began earlier this year, and we will continue to work with our campus and community partners to overshadow hatred with education, research and open discussion.

We respond to the darkness with the light of knowledge and mutual respect. In the face of violent threats, we add our voices to the chorus that declares we will not be intimidated as we pursue our mission to create and sustain a world in which diverse groups of people work together to advance our mutual well-being and common humanity.

Chancellor Howard Gillman

*

Meanwhile at OCC and Irvine...

Orange Coast College student Karina Mendoza’s Black History Month artwork lists 18 people killed by police and the words “Promise that you will sing about me” at the top. A multicolored flag at the bottom signifies the LGBT community, beside the words “#SayTheirName” and “BlackLivesMatter.” (Karina Mendoza)

From the Los Angeles Times:

Black History Month artwork torn down at Orange Coast College; investigation launched
excerpt:

Mendoza's project was among many art pieces submitted by students and community members to commemorate Black History Month. Mendoza collaborated on the exhibit with other students and OCC's Student Equity Program, which says it seeks to guarantee "fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement for all students ... regardless of background."

"It's really upsetting and it bothers me that people can't be respectful," Mendoza said. "Obviously my artwork still needs to be up."

Jewish centers in Irvine, Los Angeles among latest targets in new round of bomb threats

excerpt:

In Irvine, about 1,000 people were evacuated from the Merage Jewish Community Center about 4:40 p.m. Monday when a bomb threat was called into the center, according to the Irvine Police Department. No one was injured during the incident.

Orange County Sheriff’s Department bomb-sniffing dogs searched the buildings and a parking lot, at 1 Federation Way, and “nothing suspicious was located,” police said in a statement.