US: 11 students held for disrupting Israeli's speech

14 February 2010

Soon after Israeli ambassador to the US Michael Oren began his speech last Monday night at the University of California, Irvine, the first student rose, writes Raja Abdulrahim for the Los Angeles Times. "Michael Oren, propagating murder is not an expression of free speech," the student in a gray hoodie yelled. The remainder of his words were drowned out by an uproar of cheering and clapping from students before he was led away by university police. It was the first of 10 interruptions throughout the speech, and by the end of the night, 11 students had been arrested and cited for disturbing a public event.

The students were held in a nearby room until Oren finished his speech and were then released, said university spokeswoman Cathy Lawhon. They could face misdemeanor charges as well as university disciplinary hearings that could result in suspensions or dismissals, Lawhon said. After the fourth disruption, Oren took a 20-minute break before he returned.

The speech about US-Israeli relations was organised by several organizations and campus departments "to address tough issues in an open kind of way," said Shalom Elcott, president and chief executive of the Jewish Federation of Orange County.
Full report on the Los Angeles Times website

Receive UWN's free weekly e-newsletters

Sponsored Article

Getting to net zero, one community at a time

University of Victoria staff

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation is a University of Victoria-led collaborative initiative that brings together over 40 partners, including Indigenous knowledge keepers and community leaders, to create innovative place-based solutions for energy system transformation.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Africa pays a premium for global climate change sluggishness

Stellenbosch University staff

Africa needs to stop paying the price for the rest of the world’s recalcitrance to act fast enough in response to the irrefutable conclusions that climate change is real and that the impact of global warming could be devasting, says Professor Guy Midgley, interim director of the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Promoted by Stellenbosch University.

Sponsored Article

Innovations to ensure energy savings in a hot, arid climate

UAE University staff

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University have shown that the potential benefits of building energy savings and a cooler indoor environment, as well as improved cooling effect on air temperature at pedestrian level, strongly indicate that a cool roof with high solar reflectance and albedo is a promising strategy for buildings in regions with hot, arid climates.

Promoted by United Arab Emirates University.

Sponsored Article

A new global university ranking with an ethical mission

Aftab Dean

A new university ranking system aims to serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in higher education, ensuring that universities create an environment grounded in integrity and sustainability that inspires and supports students and staff in the development of novel solutions to global challenges.

Promoted by Globethics.net.

Sponsored Article

SDG progress report launches university into new territory

University of Pretoria staff

In the publication of its first progress report on its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, the University of Pretoria is navigating new territory at the same time as it is acknowledging its clear stewardship role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.

Promoted by the University of Pretoria.