California State University Channel Islands is calling for the immediate release of one of their professors who was detained during a protest on Thursday and hasn’t been heard from since.
The demonstration sprung up while federal officials conducted a raid at a Glass House Farms marijuana grow facility in Camarillo, not far from the CSUCI campus.
At some point during the protest – which saw tear gas being deployed and dozens being handcuffed – Professor Jonathan Anthony Caravello was detained and taken from the scene.
Per a social media post published Friday by the California Faculty Association, Professor Caravello was “kidnapped” by federal agents who didn’t provide any information to demonstrators.
“Four masked agents dragged Jonathan away into an unmarked without identifying themselves, without giving the reason for arrest and without disclosing where they are taking him,” the post reads.
In a statement, CSUCI confirmed that school officials were aware of the reports that Professor Caravello, a math and philosophy lecturer who is a U.S. citizen, was taken into federal custody.
“At this time, it is our understanding that Professor Caravello was peacefully participating in a protest – an act protected under the First Amendment and a right guaranteed to all Americans,” the statement reads. “If confirmed, we stand with elected officials and community leaders calling for his immediate release.”
CSUCI officials elaborated that they would continue to monitor the situation closely.
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