Can we stop giving them the hammer?

It's clear that the administration in Washington wants to take a hammer to higher education. The problem we have is that we keep giving them the hammer. From the Sacramento Bee:

UC Davis officials launched an independent review of a violent clash between a conservative organization and a group of counterprotestors that broke out on campus this week and seen tens of millions of times on social media, according to a university statement issued Friday. The UC Davis chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit with thousands of members across the nation, invited a speaker Thursday [April 3] for a 1 p.m. talk. 

Before right-wing commentator Brandon Tatum began his remarks at UC Davis’ Memorial Union Quad, a group of about 30 demonstrators confronted Turning Point USA members. The group of individuals — many of whom had their faces concealed behind masks — pulled down a tent of Turning Point USA and the shoving began, according to a statement by the university and videos of the scuffle posted on social media. 

UC Davis Chancellor Gary May said in a Friday [April 4] statement that it remains unclear if the “masked perpetrators were outside agitators or individuals affiliated with the university.”* He condemned the violence and said Turning Point USA members were peacefully expressing their views. “Regardless of their affiliation, all steps will be taken to hold those who were responsible accountable for their actions,” May said. If UC Davis students or employees were involved in the attack, May said, they will face disciplinary action outside of any criminal inquiries. 

UC Davis said Thursday no arrests had been made, and that the incident is under investigation. A university spokesperson in a statement also condemned the violence and said students have the right to invite speakers to express their views as well as to peacefully protest. Campus police did document one report of assault as of late Thursday, the university said in a statement...

Full story at https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article303526776.html.

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*Chancellor May's statement is at https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/statement-chancellor-gary-s-may-april-3-incident.

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Comment from yours truly: It would have been possible to have a peaceful protest - or simply to set up a counter-exhibit - without violence and violation of campus rules and laws. Going beyond is giving the hammer. No consequences for going beyond, other than an angry statement by the chancellor, is giving the hammer. Don't give the hammer. It's not complicated.