Campus Police Respond to Disturbance at Political Event
LONG BEACH, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2018) – About 200 demonstrators on Tuesday night protested at an event held by a political group at Long Beach State University.
The event was sponsored by the local student group Turning Point and held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the University Student Union on campus.
No injuries or arrests were reported during the demonstration. No property was reported damaged.
Campus police ensured the safety of students, faculty, protesters and the event’s speakers by closing one parking lot on campus and the first floor of the student union beginning that afternoon; deploying multiple K-9 teams; engaging with other CSU campuses through the Critical Response Unit; notifying faculty teaching evening classes of the event; and sending out campuswide alerts among several other measures.
Campus police protected First Amendment rights of all parties involved while simultaneously ensuring the physical well-being of everyone on campus.
University police began preparations for the event weeks in advance.
“Long Beach State police understands the importance of respecting everyone’s First Amendment rights,” said University Police Chief Fernando Solorzano. “In general, we plan for every contingency. If a venue involves topics that can be deemed controversial or provocative we make every effort to insure that the event goes smoothly for all parties involved. Moreover, we work with our local law enforcement partners to ensure a safe and successful event.”
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About the campus:
Long Beach State University is a teaching-intensive, research-driven university committed to providing highly valued undergraduate and graduate degrees critical for success in the globally minded 21st century. Annually ranked among the best universities in the West and among the best values in the entire nation, the university’s eight colleges serve more than 37,500 students. The campus values and is recognized for rich educational opportunities provided by excellent faculty and staff, exceptional degree programs, diversity of its student body, fiduciary and administrative responsibility and the positive contributions faculty, staff, students and more than 300,000 alumni make on society.
