Over 160 professors from 23 California university campuses have signed an open letter defending free speech and open inquiry. The faculty members hope to defend academic freedom by encouraging people with dissenting opinions to be outspoken and form a community of like-minded individuals.

Professors and faculty members across the state began to connect online via email about a year ago, according to their “origin story” attached to the open letter. In the fall of 2021, the California University system members held their first online meeting.