Dear University Chancellors,

The University of California’s mission statement prides itself in providing a “University to serve society as a center of higher learning, providing long-term societal benefits through transmitting advanced knowledge”, yet due to recent political events students, alumni, staff, and affiliates are detracting from its mission due to fear. Given our recent presidential election resulting in President-Elect Donald Trump as the new leader of the country, much uncertainty and angst has fallen upon University of California students statewide. As a result of this years presidential election there have been numerous hate crimes and threats committed against people of color in particular undocumented students, LGBTQ identified individuals and Muslim identified individuals.  As a result of these events we - the University of California faculty, students, alumni, and staff - demand that each UC campus create a sanctuary for POC, Immigrants, and Muslims in which students can feel safe and secure while they complete their educational and careers goals.

In order for the UC system to create sanctuary campuses it is crucial that we understand the complexities of what is at stake when it comes to Immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community and Muslims. Immigrant communities are being marginalized by society due to their migratory status. All throughout his campaign President-Elect Donald Trump has promised to deport 11 million immigrants that reside within the United States without lawful status. President-Elect Donald Trump has not clearly defined where the 11 million deportation victims will be selected from which creates anxiety amongst Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students and recipients. DACA recipients feel as though they have publicly outed themselves and are particularly vulnerable to President-Elect Donald Trump’s threats of deportation. We students, staff, alumni and affiliates of the University of California campus system demand that the UC system protect DACA recipients by refusing to release any information pertaining to a students, staff, and alumni migratory status. In addition to targeting immigrants, President-elect Donald Trump has vehemently slandered Muslim communities by repeatedly categorizing them as a threat to the United States of America. Muslim communities deserve to proudly state that they are Muslim through any means they see necessary without being violently attacked or profiled. Muslim identified students, staff and affiliates have the right to walk on campus without the fear of someone publicly insulting them or making them feel as though their lives are at risk. Lastly, president-elect Donald Trump has publicly displayed homophobic and transphobic sentiments and in turn he has built the space for America to feel comfortable in further marginalizing LGBTQ+ communities of color. LGBTQ+ identified individuals also have the right to feel safe on campus without ever thinking about their sexual orientation as a means for public insult and risk. Our communities need the support of the University of California system to overcome the next four years of Donald Trump's presidency more than ever.

The University of California students, staff, alumni and affiliates demand that you support our marginalized and terrorized communities in both undergraduate and graduate programs alike through the following list of demands:

• Protect the existence of DACA recipients by not disclosing any information with authorities in search of gaining more information on a student's status of immigration  

• Institute workshops and meetings educating students and staff about their inalienable rights and how to conduct themselves when approached by legal officials

• Conduct additional bi quarterly/semester workshops with legal personnel in order to discuss the current legal climate of the United States and California

• Declare the UC campus system as a sanctuary to all of its students, staff and affiliates in which marginalized communities of color that identify as immigrants, Muslim and LGBTQ+ feel safe and secure enough to fulfill their careers and jobs

The mission of UndocuMedia through this effort is to allow students of color from marginalized communities to feel safe in their respective campuses while coalescing to uplift and empower one another. Through the #HereToStay & #SanctuaryCampus effort we wish to allow people of color to not flee the oppressor and oppressions, but instead to stand in solidarity and organize and educate against systems of oppression. Although we may be marginalized, identify as immigrants, LGTBQ+, or Muslim we are unafraid and we refuse to leave the place we have the right to call our home and our campus. The fact that we need to coalesce on basic human rights, like the right of an undisturbed education, is disheartening and grotesque, but nonetheless we will succeed with grace and determination. We exist, we are unafraid and here to stay.

Sign this petition to demand that the UC Campus Chancellors make UC campuses sanctuaries. UC Campus Chancellors include:

Janet Napolitano, University of California President

Gene D. Blocks, Chancellor of University of California, Los Angeles

Nicholas B. Dirks, Chancellor of University of California, Berkeley

Pradeep Khosla, Chancellor of University of California, San Diego

Henry T. Yang, Chancellor of University of California, Santa Barbara

Kim A. Wilcox, Chancellor of University of California, Riverside

Howard Gillman, Chancellor of University of California, Irvine

George Blumenthal, Chancellor of University of California, Santa Cruz

Interim Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter, University of California, Davis

Dorothy Leland, University of California, Merced