California State University-Fullerton lecturer Eric Canin has been suspended by the school for his actions against the campus College Republicans at a February 8 protest: He struck one of them.
As reported by the Daily Titan, on that date the CRs were engaged in a “nonviolent counter protest” against a march objecting to President Trump’s immigration measures.
CR member Jared Lopez said “(Canin) came up, tried to grab (my) sign and pushed our way … Then he went after [CR member Bryce] (Ingalls) and started swinging at him.”
Canin contended he didn’t actually make contact with anyone, however, and that the catalyst for the incident was the CRs “making fun of him.”
But a campus internal investigation determined differently, noting that “a campus employee struck a student and that as a consequence, the speech of the student group was stopped.”
“Even when we find opposing views objectionable, ours is a campus where we will insist that respect be afforded to the right of others to assert those views,” [CSUF Chief Communications Officer Jeffrey] Cook said. “Responding with violence to speech we disagree with cannot and will not be tolerated.”
Cook said that the administration “is taking appropriate action, although we are unable to disclose specific information as the process is underway and ongoing.
CSUF police sent the case to the district attorney’s office Feb. 9, said University Police Capt. Scot Willey.
Canin may be summoned to court, but the district attorney will decide whether to charge him with a misdemeanor, Willey said. That process could take weeks, Willey said, because the case is not likely to be considered a priority.
“Canin has not been on campus,” Willey said.
A substitute lecturer is teaching Canin’s Anthropology 305 class, said junior civil engineering major Carlos Solorio.
Canin acknowledged his suspension via text message, and noted that he “may not talk to students or employees of the university.”
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