At midnight, three days before our confirmed Berkeley Reverse Q&A event, we received a text from David Chen, President of the Berkeley College Republicans (BCR). This was the group hosting our visit to Berkeley. David informed us that the administration had canceled the room reservation made weeks before for our visit. Quick action was taken by the BCR. The group secured the same venue/same time through another campus organization, only to be canceled yet again—for a second time in 24 hours. Ultimately, due to the courage and perseverance of BCR students, the Reverse Q&A went on as planned.
Here is my interview with David and Seena (BCR VP). We discussed what transpired before our Reverse Q&A event at Berkeley on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.
Funny and sad both. I was a law student at Berkeley during the Free Speech Movement. Was standing 10 feet from Mario Savio when he gave his speech. Sat in at Sproul Hall and was threatened with being expelled from the law school. And today as then the University has a problem with free speech and honest conversation about hot topics.
Outrageous behaviour by Berkeley. Universities have become the least safe space for free speech in our society.