The University of California has canceled the meeting of its governing board scheduled for later this week out of fears that protests against UC regents could turn violent.
Protests by labor unions and student groups are not uncommon at regents meetings, but UC officials announced today that they had reason to believe the actions planned for the meeting on Wednesday and Thursday in San Francisco would be unusually disruptive. UC decided to postpone the meeting after law enforcement officials disclosed credible threats.
"From various sources they had received information indicating that rogue elements intent on violence and confrontation with UC public safety officers were planning to attach themselves to peaceful demonstrations expected to occur at the meeting," said a joint statement from Regents Chair Sherry Lansing, Regents Vice Chair Bruce Varner and UC President Mark Yudof.
"They believe that, as a result, there is a real danger of significant violence and vandalism," the statement says.
The statement does not name any individuals or groups that posed a threat.
A union-backed group called Refund California planned to organize buses to bring people from college campuses across the state to the regents meeting. The group wants UC regents -- many of whom serve on corporate boards -- to support the its proposal to raise taxes to alleviate the budget cuts public universities have faced in recent years.
UC has not yet scheduled a new date for the meeting, at which regents were to discuss the university's 2012-13 budget proposal.
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