University of California system reminds student governments of ban on protesting against countries

University of California (UC) President Michael Drake, who oversees all schools under the UC system, reminded student governments on Thursday that they are not allowed to participate in protests against individual countries.

The warning comes after the Department of Health and Human Services instructed universities to certify that they would not engage in anti-Israel boycotts in order to be eligible for new grants, according to The Hill.

Drake reminded the chancellors of all the universities in a letter that leaders on campuses, which include student governments, cannot boycott specific nations. 

“The right of individuals and groups to express their views on public matters is distinct from the responsibility of University entities to conduct their financial affairs in a manner consistent with University policy and applicable law,” Drake wrote. “This letter reaffirms both: the rights of students, faculty, and staff to express their views, and the University’s obligation to ensure that its units do not engage in financial boycotts of companies associated with a particular country." 

The letter comes after multiple schools within the UC system, including UCLA, participated in anti-Israel protests and riots across the state last year that shut down graduation ceremonies and events on campus. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.