In recent days and weeks we have witnessed a series of violent, hateful and utterly unprovoked attacks in the Bay Area against Asians and Asian Americans. This violence in our region is not random or isolated. Anti-Asian bias and prejudice have a long and troubled history, and the pandemic has helped to fuel the xenophobia and hatred. I write today to express solidarity with and sympathy for all in our campus community and beyond who have been hurt, frightened and traumatized by these vile, racist incidents.
Chancellor Carol Christ on behalf of the chancellor’s cabinet
Today, a jury in Minneapolis delivered a measure of justice with its conviction of Derek Chauvin on three separate charges: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Yet, these verdicts cannot return George Floyd to his loved ones or even begin to mend the grievous wounds caused by racism and anti-Blackness in our country. As we awaited the verdicts, many of us contemplated the true meaning of justice as we continue to deal with the continuing horror and outrage arising from the stunning number of our fellow citizens, particularly people of color, who are...
Even as the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic begins to recede in the United States, we are witnessing a tragic surge of new cases around the world, particularly in India. As a global university, our community—as well as our caring and compassion—extends well beyond the boundaries of our campus and the country.
On behalf of campus leadership, we wish to offer our deepest support, sympathy, and profound condolences to all of our students and colleagues who are either in India, or have friends and family who are imperiled by the expanding crisis there...
There has been a disturbing increase in hateful speech and expression in recent days, on social media platforms, and in public spaces across our country, where recent attacks have been directed at members of the Muslim and Jewish communities. The University’s administration condemns anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of prejudice and bias, on this campus and beyond. We deeply regret the impact these vile expressions of hatred have on students, staff, and faculty who belong to the targeted communities. Know that we stand with you in solidarity...
Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students Sunny Lee and Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion Dania Matos shared the following message of support on August 17, 2023:
Dear undergraduate, graduate and professional school students,
As you are undoubtedly aware, there has been a destructive fire in Lāhainā on the island of Maui in Hawai’i. As of latest media reports, there are more than 106 casualties (though, sadly, this number may grow as more is learned) and hundreds of structures have been destroyed. We offer our deepest...
This weekend many of our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AA&PI) families and communities, like their peers across the world, welcomed Lunar New Year. In nearby Monterey Park, these celebrations were interrupted by unimaginable violence and grief when a mass shooting occurred at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, killing 11 people and traumatizing countless more. We also recognize that earlier today, two shootings in Half Moon Bay killed several farmworkers. We stand in...
Director of the PATH to Care Center Mari Knuth-Bouracee, Acting Director/Title IX Officer of the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination Cherie Scricca, Special Faculty Advisor to the Chancellor on Sexual Violence/Sexual HarassmentbSharon Inkelas and Chief People and Culture Officer Eugene Whitlock sent the following message to the campus community on Friday:
It's important to recognize the historical and contemporary conflicts in Israel and Palestine, and their impact on members of our Berkeley community who share personal connections to the region, whether it be familial, religious, ethnic, national, academic, or ideological.
The Divisions of Equity & Inclusion and Student Affairs know that some of you and your Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) have been directly, repeatedly, and overtly made to feel unwelcome and unsafe from recent global and local events. We have heard from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families and take concerns about your well-being seriously. We know situations like these can easily escalate, both in person and virtually.
UC Berkeley condemns harassment including doxxing, trolling,...
We would like to acknowledge that this communication of support should have been issued much sooner; for our delay, we apologize to the impacted Afghan community. Our thoughts are with our Afghan community members, their families, friends, and colleagues near and far. There are an estimated 60,000 Afghans in the Bay Area, some of whom have been here for decades and others recently arrived, who contribute significantly to the innovation, economy, and culture that make this region great.
