Speak Now

Our institutions are crumbling figuratively and literally (one with the help of bulldozers). And slowly, people within them are starting to resist. This past week, the faculty at the University of California Los Angeles won a public records case, compelling the U.C. Regents to share its proposed $1.2 billion settlement with the regime. Notably, one of the terms would stifle free speech.

Nearly 100 years ago, a United States district judge resisted a university’s attempt to silence the free speech of its students.

In 1932, the University of Pittsburgh’s director of athletics reportedly led a police raid of the Y.M.C.A., where a group of student pacifists comtemplated protesting Major General Douglas MacArthur as he spoke at graduation. One of those arrested was Alonzo D. Brewer, described as the “Negro member of the Pitt Y.M.C.A. executive committee.”

Six months after the arrests, U.S. District Judge M.A. Muamanno rejected the charges—and reversed the $5 fine imposed on each man. He expressed his amazement that the university had subjected them to criminal action. “The Court regrets that the University of Pittsburgh permits such sensational developments. College students are not intended to be empty tanks into which knowledge is poured. Without free speech you cannot have thinking.”

If the University of California enters a settlement that restricts free education and violates the constitutional rights of its faculty, staff, and students, it will cost the University much more than $1.2 billion. It will lose its standing and integrity. The people of California should react accordingly.

Alonzo Brewer was born in 1911 to Alonzo “Loney” J. and Mary I. (Rose) Brewer. When Alonzo registered for the World War II draft, he lived in Illinois. At the time of his death, he worked as an interpreter for the U.S. government. He died 29 March 1961, at age 49.

Sources:

Jaweed Kaleem, “Under court order, UC publicly releases Trump administration’s $1.2-billion settlement proposal,” Los Angeles (California) Times, 24 Oct 2025; online at Los Angeles Times (https://ucop.edu/communications/_files/confidential-rule-408-communication-ucla-08-08-25.pdf).

“Resolution Agreement Between the United States of America and UCLA,” available at https://ucop.edu/communications/_files/confidential-rule-408-communication-ucla-08-08-25.pdf. All websites last viewed 26 October 2025.

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regents_of_the_University_of_California), “Regents of the University of California,” 15 Oct 2025, 14:09.

Earnest Rice McKinney, “Views and Reviews,” New Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Courier, 18 Jun 1932, p. 10, cols. 6–7; imaged, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com/image/39682759). McKinney noted that the general’s speech included a racist joke.

“Judge Defends Free Speech,” Youngstown (Ohio) Vindicator, 17 Sept 1932, p. 1, col. 7; imaged, OldNews.com (www.oldnews.com).

“Youths Decide Not to Sue Pitt,” Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Post-Gazette, 20 Sept 1932, p. 2, col. 3; imaged, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com/image/89888182).

1920 U.S. census, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, enumeration district (ED) 604, sheet 8A, dwelling 134, family 169, Alonzo B. Brewer (8) in household of Loney Brewer; imaged, "1920 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6061/).

“United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940;” images, Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/image/657002109/brewer-alonzo-dow-page-1-us-wwii-draft-registration-cards-1940), registration card for Alonzo Dow Brewer, serial number 3329, Local Draft Board: Peoria (Peoria County), Illinois. Although the card records his race as “Indian,” the listed home address is the same as the address on his death certificate.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, death certificate no. 021703-61, Alonzo Brewer, 1961, Department of Health Vital Statistics; imaged, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com/search/collections/5164/records/5850658). His death certificate indicates he was married, but his spouse’s name was “not known.” The informant was his father.