Full Breakdown
UCLA Faces Lawsuit Over Delayed Public Records Request
3/26/2026, 3:02:18 AM
Lawsuit Details and Allegations
The Goldwater Institute, a conservative nonprofit organization, has filed a lawsuit against the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for allegedly failing to comply with a public records request concerning Lisa Gray-Garcia, an “Activist in Residence” at the university. The lawsuit, initiated on March 25, 2026, claims that UCLA has repeatedly delayed providing records related to Gray-Garcia, who has faced criticism for her remarks regarding the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas, which she referred to as “justice.”
The Goldwater Institute's request, submitted on October 31, 2025, sought various documents, including contracts, compensation details, course syllabi, and emails related to Gray-Garcia’s teachings. The organization asserts that UCLA, as a public institution, is legally obligated to respond to such requests in a timely manner under the California Public Records Act. According to the lawsuit, UCLA set a final deadline for March 13, 2026, but failed to provide any correspondence by that date.
Background on Lisa Gray-Garcia
Lisa Gray-Garcia has been a controversial figure at UCLA, particularly noted for leading medical students in a “Free Palestine” chant during a mandatory lecture. This incident drew backlash from attendees, with some describing it as “disgusting.” In her lectures, Gray-Garcia has criticized modern medicine as “white science” and has encouraged students to engage in practices she deems aligned with social justice, such as praying to “Mama Earth.”
Official Statements & Responses
Goldwater attorney Bradley Benbrook emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “Under California law, taxpayer-funded institutions like UCLA cannot withhold public records... even if those records include embarrassing or controversial information.” Stacy Skankey, litigation director at the Goldwater Institute’s American Freedom Network, criticized UCLA for its lack of responsiveness, asserting that “taxpayers have a right to know what is being taught and how much a university is paying for it.”
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of Gray-Garcia's approach argue that her teachings may not align with the educational standards expected in a medical curriculum. Some attendees of her lectures have expressed discomfort with the political nature of her discussions, suggesting that such content may detract from the academic focus of medical education.
What's Next
The Goldwater Institute is seeking a court order to compel UCLA to release the requested records and is also pursuing damages and attorney’s fees. The outcome of this lawsuit could have implications for public transparency in educational institutions regarding controversial figures and their teachings.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Under California law, taxpayer-funded institutions like UCLA cannot withhold public records like the ones Goldwater has requested, even if those records include embarrassing or controversial information that the institutions would prefer to keep hidden,” — Bradley Benbrook, Attorney, Goldwater Institute
- “UCLA should have responded quickly to our basic records request about Lisa Gray-Garcia’s work with the school. Unfortunately, they simply refuse to follow the law,” — Stacy Skankey, Litigation Director, Goldwater Institute
