John Yoo Defends Secret Class, Says Protesters Can Enroll if They Want to Attend
In an apparent effort to deter protesters potentially seeking to make a scene at a state constitutional law class taught by the controversial John Yoo, the University of California at Berkeley’s Boalt Hall kept its location on campus a secret.
At least temporarily stymied, some 25 individuals gathered earlier this month outside the law school dean’s office to demand that the location of the spring semester class be disclosed, reports the Daily Californian.
Yoo, who wrote memos that some saw as advocating torture of terrorism suspects while serving as a U.S. Department of Justice lawyer under the administration of President George W. Bush, tells a tabloid law blog that information about the class location is provided on a need-to-know basis.
“If the protesters want to go, they could always apply for admission as 1Ls and pay the full tuition like everyone else,” he tells Above the Law in a written statement. “They will find that it is harder to compete for admission with our smart and accomplished students than it is to make a ruckus.”
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Protesters Greet Law Professor John Yoo at UC Berkeley”
ABAJournal.com: “John Yoo Doesn’t Take Criticism Quietly”
San Francisco Chronicle (2008): “Torture protests at UC law school ceremonies”
