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UC Berkeley Lecturer Suspended Amid Free Speech Controversy

12/13/2025

Summary

Story summary

Peyrin Kao, a computer science lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley, was suspended for six months without pay for alleged violations of the university's policy on political indoctrination.
Kao is known for pro-Palestinian views and conducted a hunger strike.
Students complained that his conduct created a hostile environment.
Critics, academics and student groups, say the action threatens academic freedom and free speech and plan protests and a hunger strike.

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Story summary

Peyrin Kao, a computer science lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley, was suspended for six months without pay for alleged violations of the university's policy on political indoctrination.
Kao is known for pro-Palestinian views and conducted a hunger strike.
Students complained that his conduct created a hostile environment.
Critics, academics and student groups, say the action threatens academic freedom and free speech and plan protests and a hunger strike.