Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on March 13, 2024

Since Thursday evening, Chancellors Professor of Political Science Ron Hassner has locked himself in his office and is holding all classes on Zoom in protest of antisemitism on UC Berkeleys campus.

Hassner, whose course WAR! quickly fills up each fall, said his sit-in protest was unrelated to the Israel-Hamas war. He called it a quiet and harmless protest that inconveniences only himself: He is sleeping on the floor of his office and has not showered in days.

Our Jewish students don't feel safe walking across the campus so I won't walk across it either, Hassner said in an email. Inside and outside classrooms, Jewish students have been subjected to abuse. It's got to stop.

He has requested that campus leadership ensure the safety of Jewish students on campus and mandate Islamophobia and antisemitism training for resident assistants and registered student organizations.

Additionally, Hassner has asked that individuals prevented from speaking at UC Berkeley receive an apology from campus and are reinvited, regardless of perspective. He criticized protests such as the Zellerbach Playhouse protest on Feb. 26 that endanger the safety of students or campus property.

My goal is not to spread the protest or provoke, Hassner said in the email. My goal is to provide a quiet home on campus for students who want to hold their heads high. And perhaps gently persuade our campus leaders that it's time for decisive action against anti-Semitism.

Students have visited the office to offer support and food to Hassner and some faculty members are joining him in teaching remotely. Many other faculty members are supporting students by marching with them, meeting with them, teaching them, encouraging them.

Hassner expressed approval of Chancellor Carol Christs recent statement about UC Berkeleys free speech principles and the canceled guest lecture Feb. 26. Now, he said, he expects Christ to act. Christ has assured him that she is doing everything in her power to resolve his concerns, Hassner said.

The University remains committed to fostering an environment conducive to robust free speech and in which all members of its community feel that they may engage in campus life without fear of harassment, said campus spokesperson Dan Mogulof in an email. The administration is committed to confronting antisemitism and holds Professor Hassner in great esteem and it is in conversation with him about his concerns.

Continued here:

Political science professor Ron Hassner locks himself in his office to protest antisemitism on campus - Daily Californian

Category: Anti-semitism
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