Napolitano’s visit to UCLA sparks student protest

University of California President Janet Napolitano smiled as she walked past student protesters to begin her meeting with students and administrators in the Bruin Plate dining hall this afternoon.

About 30 student protesters circled in front of Bruin Plate, calling for Napolitano to leave her office and chanting “Education, not deportation” and “We’re fired up, can’t take it no more.”

The protesters said they oppose Napolitano’s appointment as UC president because the presidential selection process was not democratic enough and did not involve a lot of student input. They also oppose her position as the head of the University because of the large number of deportations that occurred during her term as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said Alfredo Trejo, third-year political science student and one of the protesters.

This morning, Napolitano met with several UCLA administrators in Murphy Hall, including Chancellor Gene Block and multiple vice chancellors.

She also attended and participated in a Fiat Lux seminar, “Real Stories Behind Supreme Court Indian Law Cases,” with about 20 students, said Steve Montiel, UC spokesman.

Napolitano plans to meet with more students and faculty on campus after her meeting in Bruin Plate, Montiel said.

Napolitano visited UC San Diego Thursday, where she spoke with students, administrators and others on campus, Montiel said. About two dozen demonstrators came out to protest her appointment at UCSD, he added.

Compiled by Kristen Taketa, Bruin senior staff.