California academics accused of inciting violence against ICE agent and conservative speaker

Two California academics are facing sharp criticism after separate incidents in which they allegedly encouraged violence against their political opponents, according to a report from American Thinker. The incidents have reignited debates about free speech, campus conduct, and the limits of political rhetoric.

The first case involves Melina Abdullah, a professor at California State University, Los Angeles, and a co-founder of Black Lives Matter. In a video shared widely on social media, Abdullah is heard naming a specific ICE agent, Brian Palacios, and providing what she said was his possible location—the Hilton Garden Inn at 2000 Solar Drive—while repeatedly telling a crowd to “f*** him up.”

American Thinker described the language as “gang language for beat or kill someone,” though Abdullah later claimed she did not mean to incite murder or assault. Critics, however, argue that naming an individual and broadcasting an address in such a context goes far beyond protected speech and constitutes a call to violence.

Abdullah, who leads a rump faction of Black Lives Matter after the organization’s financial scandals, has a history of contentious encounters. In an open letter published in LA Progressive, she complained that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass—a close friend—did not protect her when she was removed from a public meeting by security. Abdullah teaches at Cal State LA, a public university funded by taxpayers.

The second case involves Matthew Goldman, a writing instructor at UC Irvine who also teaches English at Chapman University. According to American Thinker, Goldman publicly mused that someone should “do the funniest thing” to conservative activist Nick Shirley as he spoke at Harvard, around the anniversary of the murder of Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator who had exposed fraud that saved California millions. Goldman has since deleted or made private his social media accounts, but the original posts were preserved and screenshot.

American Thinker’s Monica Showalter, who authored the report, drew parallels to historical instances of revolutionary violence and lamented that such rhetoric appears to be becoming more common among left-wing academics. She questioned why both Abdullah and Goldman remain employed by the state, given their alleged calls for harm, and expressed skepticism that California officials—such as Attorney General Rob Bonta or Mayor Bass—would take meaningful action.

Legal and ethical questions

The incidents raise significant legal and ethical questions. Under U.S. law, incitement to violence is not protected by the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has held that speech can be restricted if it is intended and likely to produce imminent lawless action. Whether Abdullah’s remarks about Palacios meet that threshold is a matter for the courts, but legal experts quoted in the report suggest that naming a specific person, providing a location, and using provocative language could be actionable.

Free speech advocates, however, caution against conflating political rhetoric with criminal behavior. They note that hyperbole, even when alarming, is often protected. Still, the cumulative effect of what some describe as an “assassination culture” on college campuses has drawn concern from both sides of the political aisle.

American Thinker’s report also highlighted the broader context: a growing willingness among some left-leaning figures to use violent imagery against their opponents. The publication cited prior instances in which conservative speakers were disrupted or threatened, and it called on the federal government, particularly the Trump administration, to intervene if state authorities do not.

Reactions and implications

The report suggests that both academics were aware their statements could be controversial. Abdullah reportedly acknowledged she knew she was “out of line” but said she was already on “lists” and continued repeating the phrase “f*** him up.” Goldman, meanwhile, apparently retreated from public view after his posts drew scrutiny.

Observers note that such behavior, if left unchecked, could have a chilling effect on public discourse, making it harder for people to engage in robust political debate without fear of harassment or worse. American Thinker called for consequences, ranging from lawsuits by the targeted ICE agent to federal intervention.

As of this writing, neither Cal State LA nor UC Irvine has publicly commented on the incidents, and it remains unclear whether any disciplinary action is planned. The universities may face pressure to address the conduct of their faculty, but they also risk accusations of suppressing academic freedom.

The full story, including the embedded videos and screenshots cited by American Thinker, can be found at the publication’s website.

Source: www.americanthinker.com — https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/09/the-monster-activates-again-california-leftist-academics-openly-hint-at-murder-on-their-opponents/