KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
The decision to invite Dr. Angela Davis – a political activist known for her former membership in the Black Panther party, – to speak at College of the Canyons (COC) has resulted in controversy, which COC officials acknowledged on Wednesday.
During the COC Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday evening, several community members took to the public comment portion to share their opinions on Davis’ upcoming appearance this weekend.
Matt Funicello, a Campus Safety Officer at COC, spoke against Davis being invited to speak at the college, especially considering information that Davis had been paid a $25,000 speaking fee through a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) grant.
“To be clear, I fully support the first amendment and her right to speak anywhere, anytime,on her own dime. If she wanted to come here and pay to have an event, by all means. But to have COC invite her is a slap in the face to people like me. This institution would never invite a conservative figure like Larry Elder, Thomas Sowell or Senator Tim Scott to name a few,” Funicello said.
A former police officer and combat veteran, Funicello cited Davis’ history of anti-law enforcement opinions as a major motivation behind his disapproval. In 1970, guns bought by Davis were used in the armed takeover of a Marin County courthouse, leading to the murder of a judge and the deaths of three of the men involved in the attack.
Funicello noted that all COC security personnel had been required to work on the day of Davis’ appearance, regardless of their usual schedule.
“She hates that people like me exists, yet you demand that we protect her while she speaks,” Funicello said.
Academic Senate President Professor David Andrus, Political Science Department Chair, was not present at the meeting but offered a letter on behalf of faculty members commenting on Davis’ lecture appearance.
“The job of educators and institutions of higher education is to ensure that students receive a full unvarnished education through exposure to the full spectrum of ideas, thoughts, philosophies and curriculum. It was brought to my attention to some anxiety and or concern has been raised regarding either the views or purported lack of ideological balance, resulting from Dr. Davis’s well known personally- and professionally-held philosophies. ”
Andrus noted that COC presents these varied viewpoints is a part of a long-term and protracted process, and has always been a part of the extended overall timeframe of the college’s existence.
“Over the course of the 20 years that I’ve served as a faculty member at COC, there have been many presentations, guest speakers and other forums where the subject matter and speakers were of conservative, moderate or liberal nature. In particular, some of the biggest presentations were by the military, law enforcement and other individuals with a less than liberal persuasion. This has included elected public servants. At those times, there was no immediate request for a counterbalancing speaker within an immediate time frame,” Andrus wrote.
In response to public outrage on social media and emails received, COC Area 5 Trustee Joan MacGregor was vocal in her opposition to the decision to have Davis speak at the college. She stated that she believes the board should have been told prior to the event.
MacGregor also requested that the board review policies pertaining to who is able to use the performing arts facility, funding and what staff will be used to support the event. She added that, “she doesn’t like to be the last to know”.
COC Area 1 Trustee Charles Lyon said he will not be attending the event, describing Davis as a “lightning rod of a person”. Lyon also noted that he agrees that the college should present multiple viewpoints to the community.
Edel Alanso and Diane Van Hook both stated that COC is a place of “higher learning, and (COC) needs to offer different perspectives.”
To review the entire meeting, click the link below. The public comments are in the beginning and comments relating to Angela Davis from the trustees start at 1 hour 58 minutes.
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It’s high time for Diane Van Hook to be terminated from her leadership position at COC. The citizens of Santa Clarita should expect to have a much better leader in this important position.
Anyone who approves of such a controversial PAID speaker should re-evaluate their morals.
I saw this anti American piece of garbage speak at San Fernando Valley College in 1964 just before I went into the Army. Diane, I can’t believe you would approve this communists coming to COC or our great City.
I will never contribute another dollar to the college.
to each their own
She admitted she bought the shotgun used to kill a judge.
She aided and abetted criminals trying to destroy America. She is a self-admitted communist and Marxist. That means she thinks your money belongs to her, and will take actions to overthrow the U.S. government and Constiution. She is an enemy of every American.
Shame on you COC officials that approved of this Anti-American garbage! The school is in desperate need of new leadership! This MUST be offset with a true conservative speaker immediately.
Makes no difference who speaks at events. It’s like inviting Ben Shapiro, or Candace Owens to speak. I’m tired of the political differences both parties have created and the people swayed by it.
So what if someone is a leftist? So what if someone if a right-winger? Use your own thought process to make decisions on your own. Folks don’t seem to think for themselves nowadays.
I agree, Joe. And to add to what you said, I think some people are too stubborn to learn new facts and change their minds. Our nation allows for us to have differing opinions. We don’t have to all think alike!
Much damage has been done to our country by a man who lies, cheats, and pits us against one another. We need to end his influence & get back to respecting each other more. That’s my opinion.