UCLA has ended its partnership with Jonathan Perkins, the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, following his public remarks celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This decision comes months after Perkins expressed his delight over Kirk’s death.
In a termination letter revealed by the Los Angeles Times, the university explained that his comments had seriously damaged trust in his leadership, negatively impacting the office’s credibility and effectiveness.
Perkins’s last day on a $137,000-a-year salary was noted as January 30, but it’s uncertain why the university took so long to make this decision.
Perkins intends to file a lawsuit claiming that his comments were protected under free speech. Shortly after Kirk was killed on September 10, 2025, he stated on Blue Sky that it was acceptable to feel happiness when someone who advocated harm against you passes away. He described Kirk, who had previously made contentious remarks about the Black community, in unflattering terms.
As a Black man himself, he openly expressed satisfaction over the death of someone he labeled a bigot, saying, “I’m always happy when a bigot dies.”
Now, Perkins is planning to move back to Philadelphia. He has started a GoFundMe campaign to cover both relocation and legal expenses, emphasizing his commitment to fighting racism in academia.
In his fundraising effort, he argues that UCLA’s actions violate his First Amendment rights. He has managed to raise $10,000 thus far and is seeking assistance for his pets, aiming for a total of around $25,000.
Before joining UCLA, Perkins worked as an attorney in Harvard University’s Office of General Counsel. This isn’t the first instance where he has made headlines due to provocative views; his online presence also criticizes various political figures and policies.
He reflects on the broader implications of his views, mentioning that the situation isn’t truly a loss for the Black or brown community given Kirk’s avowed hatred.
