News Summary
Brook Haley, a humanities lecturer at UC Irvine, was arrested at a pro-Palestinian demonstration marking the 1948 Nakba. He allegedly vandalized the university’s Infinity Fountain with red dye. Despite being banned from campus, he continues to teach remotely. The incident has sparked concerns over academic freedom and the treatment of activist faculty at universities, while drawing attention to a nationwide crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism.
Irvine, California – On May 15, Brook Haley, a longtime humanities lecturer at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), was arrested during a pro-Palestinian demonstration marking the 1948 Nakba and the ongoing siege of Gaza. Haley was detained by campus police as he prepared to deliver a speech regarding the suppression of academic inquiry and speech. He was charged with felony vandalism after he allegedly poured red dye into the campus’s Infinity Fountain. A student was also arrested on similar charges related to the fountain.
UCI has not released any video evidence of the arrest, despite requests from various media outlets. Following the incident, Haley was banned from campus for two weeks, impacting his ability to teach. A UCI spokesperson stated that the investigation into the incident was ongoing, with police obtaining more information about the events that transpired.
Despite the ban, Haley retained his position at UCI, as colleagues helped cover his classes, and he was permitted to teach remotely. The situation has raised serious concerns among faculty regarding job security for those involved in activism on campus, with many fearing repercussions for speaking out on social and political issues.
Haley ultimately chose not to appeal his campus ban, citing trauma from the incident and a perceived lack of support from university officials. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California expressed that campus bans should only be imposed when there is evidence that an individual poses a threat to others in the community. In response to Haley’s ban, the University Council of the American Federation of Teachers initiated a letter-writing campaign demanding the lifting of the ban, which garnered more than 7,400 signatures from supporters.
Support for Haley has emerged from both students and classmates, who stated that he continues to teach and inspire through his actions, even while barred from the classroom. A video shared by a community member captured the moment of Haley’s arrest, showing police leading him away from the protest while wearing a pink trilby hat and a keffiyeh, symbolizing his solidarity with the cause.
Haley’s experience is situated within a broader national context, as a crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism has resulted in hundreds of arrests across the United States. Faculty members, including political science professor Cecelia Lynch, have criticized UCI’s response to the protest, framing it as an example of escalating repression against activists on campuses nationwide.
UCI’s administration maintains that it respects free speech rights while also prioritizing campus safety and enforcing policies against vandalism. Chancellor Howard Gillman expressed concern over the escalation of protests but justified the actions taken due to policy violations. Following his release, Haley faced additional challenges, such as being locked out of the university’s assignment portal and dealing with personal items confiscated by police during his arrest.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about civil rights, academic freedom, and the role of universities in political discourse and activism. Faculty and students have reflected on the implications of Haley’s arrest, pointing to deepening divides and tensions surrounding campus activism, particularly in relation to Palestinian rights.
The unfolding situation at UCI underscores the complex intersection of academic inquiry, activism, and institutional policy, raising critical questions about the future of free expression and the treatment of activist faculty within academic settings.
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Additional Resources
- LAist: UCI Lecturer Arrested During Pro-Palestinian Protest
- The Guardian: UCI Pro-Palestinian Protest Trial
- KTLA: Pro-Palestinian Protesters Occupy UC Irvine Building
- Los Angeles Times: Police Converge on UC Irvine Pro-Palestinian Protest
- The New Arab: US Professor Praised for Supporting Gaza Student Protest
- Wikipedia: Pro-Palestinian Movement
- Google Search: UCI Pro-Palestinian Protests
- Google Scholar: Academic Freedom and Activism
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Civil Rights
- Google News: UC Irvine Protest
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