Dear California Community College Colleagues,
We, the members of the African American California Community College Trustees and Administrators Association (AACCCTAA or “Black Caucus”), condemn President Trump’s unconscionable and unprecedented acts to incite fear in our communities and instigate a fight with California by using military force on Californians exercising their constitutional rights.
This is not the first time President Trump has picked a fight with California. Whether overtly or covertly, calling military force or defunding education including higher educational institutions in California, the Trump Administration is attacking our communities. The Trump Administration is not using the National Guard to enforce court decisions, uphold the Constitution, or heed the call of non-violent protesters of the Civil Rights Movement. Quite the contrary, what we saw in Los Angeles and previous acts by the Trump Administration violate the Constitution itself, defy court decisions, incite fear, attempt to squelch dissension, and infringe on free speech rights.
We, the Black Caucus, call on our California community college colleagues to recognize the constitutional crisis that is intentionally created by President Trump. We encourage leaders to speak up and for protests to practice the long tradition of non-violence resistance taught by civil rights leaders. Non-violent protests such as sit-ins, marches, and boycotts are especially even more strategic today considering President Trump’s escalation of violence: the reason why non-violence is strategic is it reveals the violence of the Administration.
We also ask California Community Colleges to organize with students, faculty, and staff to prepare for Constitution Day (September 17) whereby every educational institution is legally required to have lessons about the U.S. Constitution. We need to teach that the “Know Your Rights” trainings are really about “Knowing Our Rights” as the 4th and 5th Amendments rights of due process are rights for all of us. We need to teach about the three branches of government, and that the Executive
Branch is not above the law. We need to teach about the 1st Amendment’s right of free speech and assembly. These are teachable moments.
In love and solidarity,
Barbara Calhoun, President and Chair
African American California Community College Trustees and Administrators Association (“Black Caucus”)
Cc: California Community Colleges, State Chancellor’s Office
Community College League of California, CCCT and CCCCEO Board
Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC)
Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC)
California Community College Classified Professional Organization
Association of California Community College Administrators
Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT)
Association of American Community Colleges (AACC)
American Council on Education (ACE)