Today, California Legislative Republican Leaders announced budget action addressing the ongoing wave of illegal and violent protests on California state colleges and universities. Click here to watch a video recording of the announcement.
Specifically, Senate Minority Leader Jones (R-San Diego) and Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) called to revoke or reduce state funding of universities’ Administrations that fail to ensure campus safety and prevent unlawful activities. Additionally, the leaders proposed cutting state-funded grants for students found guilty and suspended for their involvement in these illegal acts.
“Violence and illegal activity of any kind is NOT protected by the First Amendment,” said Leader Jones. “The Administrations must swiftly regain control of the situation and guarantee a secure learning environment for our students. Their failure to control the illegal protests is unacceptable, particularly considering the substantial taxpayer funding allocated to our public universities. If the Administrations continue to allow this lawlessness, we must take action to reduce or rescind their state funding. Taxpayers should not be bankrolling administrations that falter in upholding law and order on campus.”
“All Californians have a right to express their views but that right ends when you carry out acts of violence, destruction of property, and trample upon the right of others, the rights of fellow students to learn,” said Leader Gallagher. “It’s outrageous that school administrations did nothing while all of this transpired for weeks on end and it’s time to hold school officials and responsible students accountable for what’s happened across college campuses.”
Jones and Gallagher are united in condemning violent protests that have invaded college and university campuses in California and across the United States. Administrators have done nothing for days or even weeks and allowed protests to escalate into lawlessness and violence.