Tonight's ASUCI Legislative Council meeting, where a possible challenge to the executive veto of the flag ban by-law was scheduled to be discussed, has been cancelled after the campus received a credible threat of violence.
“Earlier today, UCI officials received a viable threat of violence associated with the recent controversy over the display of national flags in the lobby of student government offices,” reads a safety alert issued by the UC Irvine Police Department. “The campus is taking this threat seriously. As a result, the administration canceled tonight's meeting of the student-government Legislative Council. Student government leaders responsible for convening this meeting support this decision.”
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The campus had received multiple threats over the past few days, but decided that a recent threat warranted the cancellation of the meeting. UCI Administration declined to provide additional comment on the nature of the threat beyond the released statements.
“While the threat was not specific, the UCI Police Department has increased its security presence and alerted the campus, calling for increased vigilance and asking the campus community to report any suspicious activities,” reads a statement.
In the meantime, UCI administration has been bearing more criticism for its response and treatment of the students who voted yes on the by-law. Late last week, three students voted yes released an apology, but the New University reported that they had been asked to do so by administration do that in exchange for security services.
A petition supporting the students is currently circulating, and has been signed by thousands of people and several organizations.
Additional reporting by Courtney Hamilton.
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