Graphic by Ashley Tolteca
By Melisa Rodriguez
On April 16, students, faculty and staff gathered at Central Mall for the “Hands Off Students” protest. According to the Black Lives Matter Grassroots website, “a coalition including members of Black Lives Matter Grassroots, the California Faculty Association (CFA), and Students for Quality Education (SQE) mobilized at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI.)” The event was reportedly hosted on campus by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and the Students Against Fascism Alliance (SAFA), between multiple organizations and clubs on campus. The event was held in response to an incident during a labor union coalition rally held on April 1.
At the earlier rally, community members came together to raise concerns about potential layoffs. However, the situation drew further attention when campus police approached Angelmarie Taylor, a business major at CI and a California Faculty Association (CFA) student organizer, an encounter that has since sparked debate and concern, particularly regarding racial equity and students’ right to protest.
From Taylor’s public statement, “On April 1st, I stood beside the workers of CSU Channel Islands to say no to layoffs… I was the only Black speaker at this peaceful rally, and I was the only one surrounded, intimidated, and harassed by University Police…Now, I have been accused of violating the Time, Place, Manner policy and am facing potential expulsion. There is something wrong happening at CSUCI, and it must end now.” CI’s Policy on “Time, Place, and Manner,” governs assemblies, marches, demonstrations and protests.
The incident has prompted discussions among students and faculty about the interpretation and enforcement of campus protest policies, as well as broader questions surrounding student activism and free speech.
Supporters at the April 16 demonstration emphasized solidarity with students who feel their voices have been suppressed or unfairly targeted. Solidarity speeches were delivered by various campus and community organizations, including the Black Student Union, MEChA, PSL Ventura, Liberation Education and the Sociology Club.
Among the voices present was Dr. Raquel Baker, Associate Professor in the English Department, who expressed support for the student organizers and addressed broader concerns shared by many on campus. “We’re here today in support of Black student activists on campus who are being targeted, surveilled, and harassed due to their organization on campus,” Baker said. “We just want to stand in solidarity with those students and faculty who are having really deleterious impacts due to the way that anti-Black racism works here on our campus at CI.”
She continued emphasizing the importance of awareness and community, “We, the Black community here on campus, have the sense that anti-black racism is escalating. And so in this moment, we really just want to take a moment to stand together in solidarity and raise our voices so that people can’t say they didn’t know…that this is what our black faculty, staff, and students are experiencing.”
When asked about ways to improve communication and trust between students and university leadership, Baker encouraged campus leaders to listen directly to students. “I think our students are so wise and really know what they need. For myself, I would just say that we need to have campus administration and police on campus who are on board with the fact that… we as a campus community are beneath using deceptive, violent tactics to deal with students who are simply raising their voice to talk about what they feel is wrong with our world in this moment” she said.
As the situation develops, many in the campus community remain committed to fostering an environment where all voices can be heard and concerns addressed respectfully. The CI View will update with any further information.
