California Republican Steve Hilton and former state Sen. Gloria Romero, a Democrat, are calling for state colleges and universities to bring classes back to campus and reinstate graduation commencements that were canceled amid anti-Israel protests. They believe that the majority of hardworking students deserve to complete their studies in a normal way without being disrupted by a vocal and sometimes violent minority. Hilton and Romero are urging the people in charge of California universities to stand up against the mob, ensure classes continue as normal, protect the safety and security of Jewish students, and reject demands to shut down or defund Jewish cultural community organizations on campus. They are demanding that the rule of law be enforced and that leadership take action to support students.
These calls for action come after UCLA was forced to move to remote learning due to antisemitic protests and encampment on campus. Hilton and Romero held a press conference at UCLA, demanding that classes be brought back for the rest of the semester, graduation proceed as planned, and the safety of Jewish students be protected. They emphasize the importance of standing up against the mob and enforcing the rule of law to ensure that all students can continue their education without disruption. The two also wrote a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, criticizing the absence of leadership and demanding that all graduation and commencement ceremonies proceed as planned.
Romero stressed the importance of protesting while also upholding the freedom and liberty of Jewish students on campus. She expressed disappointment in UCLA’s elected leaders for going into hiding and failing to address the situation effectively. Hilton described the campus as a ghost town, with students being disrupted and punished unnecessarily due to the shutdowns during the pandemic and now again because of the protests. They both believe that it is crucial to speak up and give meaning to “Never Forget” in order to support the students who are being negatively impacted by the disruptions.
The bipartisan efforts of Hilton and Romero aim to address the challenges faced by students in California universities and ensure that their education and graduation ceremonies are not disrupted by protests and demonstrations. They have called on California leadership and university officials to take action to protect the rights and safety of all students on campus, particularly the Jewish community who are facing discrimination and intimidation. By coming together to demand a return to normalcy and the enforcement of the rule of law, Hilton and Romero are advocating for the well-being and academic success of students in the state.
The criticism of the lack of leadership and inaction by the governor’s office and the University of California’s Office of the President highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate intervention to address the disruptions and challenges faced by students. Hilton and Romero’s efforts to bring attention to these issues and demand accountability from those in positions of authority demonstrate their commitment to advocating for the students and ensuring that their educational experiences are not negatively impacted by external forces. It is essential for leaders to listen to these calls for action and take steps to address the concerns raised by Hilton and Romero in order to support the students and uphold the values of education and inclusivity on college campuses.
