Student protesters walk through Sather Gate after a pro-Palestinian rally on Sproul Plaza last month. Credit: Ximena Natera for Berkeleyside

Among Berkeley’s biggest claims to fame is its role as the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement. Over the years, that movement has involved clashes between Cal students and administrators over the role of political advocacy on campus. 

Today, in the wake of a wave of pro-Palestinian activism, and the Trump administration’s attempts to exert ideological control over universities, the campus often finds itself divided over whether, how and when limits to free speech should apply. Recent flashpoints include the temporary closure of the Multicultural Community Center, the suspension of a lecturer for talking about Gaza in his classroom and the decision to share 160 names of students, staff and faculty with the U.S. Department of Justice as it investigates campus antisemitism.

Next Tuesday, Berkeleyside is hosting what promises to be a timely, informative and thought-provoking conversation that will explore how the university can continue to support free speech and academic freedom at a time of unprecedented challenges for all American universities — and also consider its track record over the last year.

The State of Free Speech at UC Berkeley

When: Tuesday, April 14, from 6–7:30 p.m. 
Where: David Brower Center
Details: Event website
Tickets: Free or $12.51 each. Sales end April 14. 

Berkeleyside’s higher education reporter, Felicia Mello, will moderate a conversation with our guest speakers from UC Berkeley:

Benjamin Hermalin, executive vice chancellor and provost

Chris Hoofnagle, secretary of the Berkeley Initiative for Freedom of Inquiry and professor of law in residence

Ussama Makdisi, professor of history and chancellor’s chair 

Ananya Rupanagunta, editor-in-chief and president of the Daily Californian.

Together they will explore how the campus is navigating these challenges and what the future of free expression in higher education might look like more broadly.

Tickets are going fast. Get yours at The State of Free Speech at UC Berkeley event website.

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Berkeleyside is Berkeley, California’s independently-owned local news site. Learn more about the Berkeleyside team. Questions? Email editors@berkeleyside.org.
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