Whereas, February 8th 2010, the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Political Science Department and School of Law welcomed Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren to discuss U.S.-Israel relations,  [1]

Whereas, eleven students in the audience stood up and vocally expressed their opposing opinion in protest of Ambassador Michael Oren, [2]

Whereas, UC students (2 UCR) felt the need to voice their opposition in a peaceful manner,

Whereas, the students were escorted from the room voluntarily, without any resistance,

Whereas, law enforcement officers proceeded to arrest the eleven students,  

Whereas, Michael Oren was able to finish his schedule speech,

Where as, the University seeks to provide a “…quality education that fosters the passionate and enthusiastic expansion of knowledge, [3]

Whereas, UCI, as a public University, serves a platform for the exchange of diverse ideas, cultures and political ideology among students, faculty and administration, 

Whereas, the administration and the Office of Student Conduct already disciplined the eleven students as well as the Muslim Student Union (MSU),

Whereas, months after the students were disciplined by the Office of Student Conduct, the Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas, proceeded to charge the 10 students, [4]

Whereas, each of the students were charged with two misdemeanor counts, and “All 10 defendants in the Irvine 11 case have been found guilty of ​disturbing a public meeting and engaging in a conspiracy to do so”. [5]

Whereas, American Civil Liberties Union stated "Even if protests on college campuses occasionally cross a line from protected speech into conduct, prosecutors cannot selectively intervene to punish students who say things they do not like, [6]

Whereas, students reserve their right to peacefully advocate for their belief and should have a safe place on a public campus to do so,

Let it be resolved, that ASUCI opposes the criminalization of peaceful student protesters,

Let it further be resolved,  that ASUCI commits to protect the rights of students and their rights to express an opinion, political or otherwise, even though these opinions may be controversial,

Let it further be resolved, that we are in support of the Irvine 11's right to protest and hold the OCDA accountable for wrongfully prosecuting students for peaceful protest and democratic participation.

 References:

[1] http://www.socsci.uci.edu/node/921

[2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcaryZbL3gE

[3] http://www.uci.edu/about.php

[4] http://www.orangecountyda.com/home/index.asp?page=8&recordid=2588

[5] http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2011/09/irvine_11_verdict.php

[6] http://www.aclu-sc.org/releases/view/802932