by Gwen R.
Since taking office, the Trump regime has launched a sweeping effort to bring America’s universities under political control. Their tactics involve withholding billions in federal research funds unless universities agree to grant the regime influence over hiring, DEI policies, curricula, and permissible speech—an unprecedented intrusion into academic independence and a direct threat to the free flow of ideas critical to a functioning democracy.
Last week, Indivisible East Bay (IEB) proudly launched UC Unbowed, a new campaign uniting alumni and community members to support students, faculty, and staff in defending the independence, integrity, and democratic mission of the University of California in this dangerous political moment. UC Unbowed is part of a civil resistance strategy that aligns with the NO KINGS movement. Check out this blog for more on IEB’s strategic direction and, especially, the “pillar campaigns.”
Our community has already responded with extraordinary clarity and conviction, demonstrating public commitment to the academic independence of our public university.
A Groundswell of UC Defenders
With support from our friends at Stand for Campus Freedom, we released a petition calling on UC leadership to resist the Trump administration’s escalating efforts to exert political control over the university, its admissions processes, hiring decisions, curriculum, and free speech policies.
In under a week, more than 4,000 alumni and supporters signed on—an unmistakable statement that UC’s community will not accept political coercion or ideological oversight from the regime. Add your name to the petition now!
A Powerful Rally at UCLA
Representatives of UC Unbowed from IEB, together with Indivisibles in the LA area, joined the UCLA Faculty Association, UCLA-AFT, and student activists at a rally in advance of the UC Regents’ bimonthly meeting on November 18. Students, faculty, workers, and alumni stood together to affirm a simple truth: the University of California belongs to the public, not to the president, not to MAGA, and not to any ideology.
Taking the Fight Directly to the Regents
During the meeting’s public comment period, UC Unbowed and IEB member Donna Graves delivered remarks to the Regents and formally submitted the petition. Our message urged them to take a clear, public stand against illegitimate federal pressure and to defend the foundational principles upon which the UC system was built.
Why We’re Mobilizing to Defend UC
The University of California is a primary target for the Trump regime’s attack. The administration has either frozen or attempted to freeze over $1B across the UC system. All 10 of the UC campuses are under investigation for some kind of “violation” by the Trump administration. Yet, in a powerful statement of resistance, a federal judge ruled last Friday that the administration may not tie UC’s federal funding to measures that violate the First Amendment. This is a critical victory, but one that will require sustained vigilance.
The University of California is more than a collection of campuses. It is a pillar of American democracy, where truth is pursued and debate is protected. It’s the jewel of California’s and the nation’s public education system, a global center of research, innovation, discovery, and creativity which shapes our state’s prosperity. It is a national leader in social mobility, unlocking educational opportunities for hundreds of thousands of students every year. As a public institution, UC is funded by and accountable to the people of California. The University of California belongs to all of us, and we are committed to defending it!
Here’s how to get involved:
- If you haven’t yet signed the petition, do so now!
- Sign up for our email list by going to our new webpage, here!
- Saturday is the Big Game between Cal and Stanford, at Stanford. UC Unbowed is collaborating with Indivisible Mid-Peninsula to canvass the tailgate crowd about the MAGA regime’s escalating campaign against academic freedom and to invite people to join our campaign. Want to join us at Stanford to help spread the word? RSVP here.
- Join the #uc-unbowed Slack channel to get updates on the campaign! Info about joining Slack here.
