The attacks on members of the academic community that occurred this past weekend in Santa Cruz are outrageous and abhorrent. Acts of violence and intimidation such as these are unacceptable, and they continue a troubling pattern, seen at UCLA and other UC campuses, that should be repugnant to us all. These acts threaten not only our academic researchers and their families, but the safety and security of neighbors in our communities as well.
A few months ago, the chancellors of all 10 University of California campuses issued a joint statement expressing their condemnation of such attacks and reiterating their commitment to upholding the highest standards in the care and ethical treatment of animals. I join the chancellors in their statement. As we remain steadfast in our support of the free, civil and lawful expression of views, we are equally unwavering in our commitment to protect our faculty, staff and students and to hold the perpetrators of these acts accountable.
This morning I sent key members of my staff to the UC Santa Cruz campus to consult with faculty and administrators as they respond to these acts of domestic terrorism. I applaud Chancellor Blumenthal, the UCSC campus, the Santa Cruz civic leadership and law enforcement agencies for their quick and serious attention to these matters.
In the coming days, the University of California will continue to cooperate with law enforcement in this investigation. We will work at the campuses to provide the best possible support to members of our academic community, who deserve to work and raise their families in a safe environment. And we will continue to work in Sacramento with Assemblyman Gene Mullin for the passage of his AB 2296, which aims to provide more tools to law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of these crimes. We encourage the Legislature and Administration to support this legislation and to join us in condemnation of the acts that have occurred.