The University of California at Santa Cruz condemned the celebration of Adolf Hitler's birthday by students, during which they sang the "Happy Birthday" song and ate cakes with Nazi symbols.
This incident, said Dr. Akirah Bradley-Armstrong, vice chancellor for Student Affairs and Success at UC Santa Cruz in a letter to the student community, is part of two separate reports of anti-Semitism and hate on and near the Santa Cruz campus.
The first reported incident took place on campus last Thursday, April 20. A group of students reportedly gathered to celebrate Adolf Hitler’s birthday. “They sang happy birthday and ate cakes decorated with hateful and horrible symbols.”
Meanwhile, the second reported incident took place in downtown Santa Cruz on Friday, April 28, when a student found an anti-Semitic and anti-LGBTQIA+ flyer on the windshield of his car.
The leaflet included despicable and degrading statements about the Jewish community and LGBTQIA+ people, the statement said.
“We unequivocally condemn these, and all, anti-Semitic and anti-LGBTQIA+ actions. They are at odds with our Community Principles and as such will be addressed accordingly,” he said.
She added that the incident on campus has been referred to student conduct for follow-up and adjudication, while the university has reached out to Santa Cruz city officials to request their support and collaboration in addressing the concerning flyers reported at the school.
“These disturbing incidents follow a national trend of increasing anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence. Whatever the purpose and wherever they take place, we reject any and all acts of anti-Semitism. Members of our Jewish community and members of our LGBTQIA+ community are an integral part of our Banana Slug family, and we stand with them against all such acts of hate,” the vice-chancellor stressed.
In that sense, he ruled that "white supremacy has no place at UC Santa Cruz," as well as any other action intended to degrade, dehumanize or intimidate another based on identity.
“We will not tolerate such hostilities; nor will we endure the fear and terror it seeks to inspire. United by our shared sense of humanity, we must strive to be a welcoming place for all people. Together, we must continue to reject all expressions of hatred,” he added.
Finally, she recalled that incidents like this can be painful and cause greater worry, fear and anger.
“We encourage our community to seek support. In addition to the support services offered by our college staff and resource centers, Counseling and Psychological Services provide assistance to students. For employees, the Employee Assistance Program can provide counseling and support. All community members are encouraged to report incidents of hate or bias,” she said.
For his part, the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, said through his Twitter account that acts like these have no place in the state.
"This is absolutely sick. This type of disgusting act has no place in California."
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
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