Multiple arrests were made following the disruption of the UC Board of Regents meeting by striking academic workers earlier this morning. This week marks the fifth week of the largest academic workers strike in U.S. history.
The first speaker during the Board of Regents’ public comment session was a doctoral student from UCLA who spoke on behalf of UAW 2865, urging the board to take action amid the ongoing strike.
“Many of us are living on just 24,000 dollars a year in one of the most expensive states in the country,” the student said.
Soon after, the student was joined by demonstrators who chanted the words “shut it down” while interrupting the ongoing meeting.
Interim secretary and chief of staff of the board Tricia Lyall attempted to call the next group of speakers for the public comment session despite the echoing chants of the demonstrators. At this point, the livestream audio temporarily cut out.
Eventually, Regent John Pérez, health services committee chair, announced a temporary adjournment of the meeting until law enforcement responded to the demonstrators.
UCPD was called to the scene and protesters were ordered to disperse. Those who remained were arrested, cited and escorted from the room.
The meeting reconvened soon after.
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