BUZZ
UPDATED
An event featuring the general counsel of the Department of Homeland Security turned somewhat chaotic at UCLA on Tuesday as protesters hurled insults and made disruptive noises.
UCLA’s Federalist Society hosted the event, “Inside DHS: A conversation with DHS General Counsel James Percival,” but about “70 people, including protesters, attended the event – about 50 of whom walked out after the moderator said he would only ask Percival pre-screened questions,” the Daily Bruin reported.
Signs held by protesters in the audience included “Fuck you loser,” “Stop caging kids,” “How’s Trump’s cock taste,” and “ICE out,” according to an edited video of the event.
“Attendees also played out sound effects, including doorbell noises and ringtones. After about 30 minutes, law professor Jon Michaels – who gave opening remarks – asked the audience to silence their phones. Attendees then clicked pens and tapped on desks,” the Bruin reported.
Moderator Greg McNeal, a professor at Pepperdine Law, posted on X: “We did our best to have a thoughtful discussion, unfortunately, some audience members were not there to have such a discussion, but instead were there to disrupt the event.”
The person who posted the video stated on X: “Truly abhorrent and unimaginable behavior today at the @FedSocUCLA event that hosted a @DHSgov lawyer. Leftist students repeatedly disrupted the event, yelled profanities, shouted, made their phones ping incessantly, and eventually stormed out to a rally that violated all time, place, and manner restrictions.”
“These students can’t handle @FedSoc event about the law, but will remain students at @UCLA_Law and eventually be admitted to the Bar. It is a damning indictment on higher education that students behave so despicably.”
Editor’s note: On Thursday, The College Fix was provided a prepared comment from Michael Waterstone, dean of UCLA School of Law:
Legal education and the practice of law require a willingness to question assumptions and engage opposing arguments seriously. This should involve approaching difficult conversations with civility and respect, and careful listening.
We must always strive to live out these principles. Multiple individuals who did not comply with these principles at a recent student event were issued warnings and were either escorted out or left of their own accord. There was also protest activity that was not disruptive to the event and consistent with the First Amendment and University policies. While the moderated conversation continued throughout, and the event proceeded to its conclusion, we recognize some disruption, and UCLA School of Law is reviewing all policies and will take necessary steps to ensure student groups can host speakers in an environment of civil engagement. Students should have the ability to challenge content they disagree with, and speakers cannot be limited because some disagree with the content of their speech. Anything less is antithetical to our profession, and commitment to academic freedom and the open exchange of ideas.
MORE: DOJ sues UCLA for hostile work environment, alleging systemic antisemitism
