We, faculty members of the Anthropology Department at UC Santa Barbara, write to show our
support for peaceful protests on our campus calling for an end to the massive loss of life in
Gaza. The field of Anthropology plays an important role in analyzing the complex causes and
manifestations of injustice in the United States and around the world. Peaceful protests that
vocalize opinions, while ensuring a safe space for all, are protected rights of our academic
community. The right to peaceful protest is fundamental, and we support protests that are
respectful of our campus diversity. We do not condone the use of police force to repress
peaceful protest and are gravely concerned about the violence that has been unleashed against
student encampments and rallies across the United States by their own college and university
administrators, including at UCLA and UC San Diego. We do not tolerate retaliation for student
involvement in peaceful protests. Additionally, we condemn, unequivocally, racism, including
antisemitism, anti-Muslim racism, anti-Blackness, hate speech, and other forms of bigotry. We
also call for the administration to make a good faith effort to engage in discussions with student
protesters concerning their demands. We encourage any students whose research, education
and teaching activities are being disrupted by the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Israel and/or
the campus protests to seek support from the Department as needed. We are committed to the
wellbeing and academic progress of our student body.
June 20, 2024 - 11:39am