University of California President Addresses Safety Concerns Following Event Cancellation

University of California President James Milliken has committed to safeguarding both the safety and expression of speakers on campus after CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss had to cancel her speaking engagement at UCLA due to safety worries.

“I was quite surprised to learn that Bari Weiss’s team decided to cancel her talk at UCLA because of safety issues. President Frenk has assured me that Weiss is still eager to present and is already coordinating plans for a future campus event at a suitable time,” Milliken expressed in a statement to the California Post.

Weiss was supposed to participate in the annual Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecture titled “The Future of Journalism” on February 27. However, it was officially announced that the event would be canceled due to “safety concerns.”

Reports indicate that some UCLA staff were opposed to the event, and protests were expected from students.

“President Frenk and I see eye to eye on this issue. The University of California is dedicated to protecting freedom of expression on our campuses and will take all necessary actions to ensure the safety of our speakers, attendees, and community members,” Milliken continued.

He noted, “We will exhaust all options to make sure that speakers are not barred from sharing their views simply because some may disagree with their constitutionally protected speech. This principle is fundamental to the First Amendment and our responsibility as a university.”

As for Weiss, it’s uncertain whether she will announce a new date for her talk anytime soon.