In a situation gaining significant traction on social media, Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, along with his wife Catherine Fisk, a Berkeley law professor, attempted to prevent a Palestinian Muslim law student from protesting during a dinner event at their private home.
The 24-second video that captured the confrontation has since gone viral on Twitter, Instagram and Reddit, drawing thousands of comments. The reactions varied widely, some suggesting that Fisk assaulted the student, while others viewed the student’s actions as a personal attack, ultimately leading to calls for both Fisk and Chemerinsky’s resignations.
Against this backdrop, UC Berkeley’s administration has chosen to support its law dean. UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ has issued a statement explaining that while their approach to free speech remains staunch, they do not believe a social event at a private residence is an appropriate platform for protest.