The Davis College Republicans would like to extend our sincerest apologies to everyone who was unable to attend our event on Friday. We heard many stories that deeply saddened us. DCR made the decision to cancel the event after the administration told Milo’s staff that the event was not going to happen. We were under intense pressure from Milton Lang, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life, Campus Community and Retention Services, as well as the Chief of Police. Lang ...told us that there were hammers confiscated from the protesters, and that some protesters were part of an organization, “By Any Means Necessary”, known for bussing to events and violently protesting. The chief of police confirmed Milton’s statement and informed us she was worried for the safety of her officers. Additionally, Lang stated that this group was at an event Sacramento where a stabbing occurred on June 26, 2016. Due to the reality that students, officers, and our community would likely be attacked similarly, and with the police stating that they were unable to defend us, DCR had no choice but to cancel.
Then, on January 14th, the UC Davis police account tweeted that “despite rumors online @PoliceUc confirms there were ...no hammers”, contrary to what the UC Davis staff told the Executive Board and Milo’s tour manager. We are waiting for a response from the administration to find out if the event staff or the administration is lying to the press. However, we do know that the university lied about the protests being peaceful. A photographer had hot coffee poured on him and his equipment while a videographer was forcefully pushed and spat on. The day before our event the administration made moves to undermine the event by declaring that the safety of the event would become DCR’s responsibility if the insurance company voided their policy because of Martin Shkreli’s late addition the event. If indeed UC Davis staff lied to us, then the administration was actively trying to undermine our event. Even on the next day, the UC Davis administration denied the use of electricity ports at the Memorial Union for Milo’s equipment. The UC Davis administration has not protected the right of Milo and Martin Shkreli to speak or our right to assembly. We do not countenance the administration’s actions and subsequently organized the march for free speech.