DVC professor subject of 4chan harassment
Screenshot of the protester in the pink shirt being struck with a bike lock during the Berkeley protests on April 15, 2017
April 20, 2017
Anonymous 4chan users have claimed to have identified the “Bike Lock Attacker” as an adjunct philosophy professor at Diablo Valley College.
The allegations that this professor was the attacker went viral around Wed. April 19, at 8:24 p.m.
During what twitter users call the “Battle for Berkeley” where a masked assailant dressed all in black with sunglasses and a bandana covering his face hit a protester named Sean Stiles on the top of the head with a bike lock.
The professor in question is not currently working for DVC, but was scheduled to return to work for the summer semester. When attempting to get in contact with the professor we were not able to get a comment as all of his social media accounts seem to have been deleted.
4chan users have released personal information on the professor such as his home address and job locations, however, it is unclear at this time whether or not 4chan is accurate in their identification.
According to a DVC spokesperson these claims are, “based on an unsubstantiated allegation from unknown sources.”
UPDATE:
According to an email sent out from DVC interim president Ted Wieden, “The adjunct faculty member that has been alleged to have committed this crime is NOT currently teaching at DVC.”
Wieden also stated that all concerns and questions about the assault that occured should be directed to the Berkeley Police Department, as it falls under their jurisdiction.
Editor’s note: This article was edited on Friday April 21 to include updated information.
A name was edited from this article on Monday April 24 due to an online threat.
joe blow • Apr 23, 2017 at 10:48 pm
I’m opposed to vigilantism. it’s extremely dangerous, and can escalate quickly, but the way this prof is being protected along with others in Antifa, is disgraceful and will only bring out more violence. Violence begets violence and unless the authorities do something quick to bring justice, I’m afraid we will see a lot more of it in coming months.
the college needs to put political leanings aside and do what’s right to protect the community
Alexander DeLarge • Apr 23, 2017 at 4:03 am
I’m not one for vigilantism but what choice do they have when they’re dealing with armed and dangerous thugs that are literally trying to kill them at a free speech rally (literally the most benign political stance you can take in Western politics) and the police and media is doing absolutely nothing to protect them?
You talk about “credible sources” but the chief of police told officers to stay behind/in their cars while conservatives literally fought their way out of the event (completely unarmed because they went through a police checkpoint that didn’t allow shields/weapons/certain types of attire) while ANYONE NOT WEARING A MASK was clearly in danger, which is funny because a couple of them ended up attacking other ANTIFAs because their masks fell off. Several attempted murders involving ANTIFA trying to suffocate them with plastic bags, the bike lock incident, bricks/M80 explosives being thrown and them stomping on Trump supporters’ heads. This is all on tape.
The mayor of Berkeley has been confirmed to be a part of the ANTIFA Facebook group that organized this “protest” and the media clearly isn’t covering it so at this point, 4chan and Twitter are your “credible sources” regarding their attackers. The most credible you’ll find anyways because no one is doing their jobs.
Gordon Schumway • Apr 22, 2017 at 8:59 am
Don’t jump to conclusions, folks. I know the unverified sources showed he’s wearing the same clothes, same shoes, same glasses, same backpack, same pen in the same back pocket and has the same height and same face, but without actual evidence there is just no way to prove it’s the same guy.
Samuel Shult • Apr 22, 2017 at 4:17 am
I get the sneaky suspicion had this been a student accused of sexual assault, your policy of editing out the person’s name would mysteriously evaporate.
scott mackenzie • Apr 21, 2017 at 4:53 pm
Frank Guitron, what a joke your headline is, “DVC professor subject of 4chan harassment”. Are you prepared for a different headline if it turns out that your professor is guilty? You, your paper, DVC and all students should be embarrassed by this bias.
scott mackenzie • Apr 21, 2017 at 4:44 pm
Instead of investigating, what journalists do, you dismiss this story and close ranks, well done future journalists, and I understand this is part of the journalism department? DVC Inquirer doen not believe in a free press or free speech.
Nikki Moylan • Apr 21, 2017 at 4:04 pm
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PB • Apr 21, 2017 at 12:43 pm
Even though the allegations might be “unsubstantiated” and there aren’t any charges (yet) against the antifa professor, doesn’t the school staff have an obligation to protect their students? Doesn’t this at least warrant looking into? In the chance that professor is really the person that was assaulting innocent people, shouldn’t the DVC President’s office do some research of their own to know if their employee might be a threat to their students?
Frank Guitron • Apr 21, 2017 at 12:55 pm
We’ve been looking into it, but we haven’t been able to get confirmation nor denial from the Berkeley PD or the President’s office at DVC about the professor in question. We can only state what can be backed up with evidence from credible sources.
Herp Derp • Apr 21, 2017 at 9:49 am
The evidence speaks for itself, if only you’d actually look through it.
(Name withheld) is a violent animal who committed felony assault.
Frank Guitron • Apr 21, 2017 at 10:00 am
We had to edit the name out because Berkeley PD has not confirmed or denied the unidentified at this time.
Shawn • Apr 21, 2017 at 7:44 am
Horrible, just horrible 🙁 he used to be one of my favourites, but I DON’T WANT TO BE LECTURED BY A CRIMINAL. #NotMyProf
Mama • Apr 21, 2017 at 4:39 am
Really? That’s the only side of the story? Poor guy gets harassed? and this harassment hurts so much more than getting hit with a bike lock on the head?
Sam Hyde • Apr 21, 2017 at 12:55 am
The evidence is overwhelming upon review and (name withheld) should absolutely be charged with attempted murder. He is on video attacking unarmed citizens with a deadly weapon..a hard steel bike lock. SEVERAL TIMES ACROSS MULTIPLE EVENTS.
UNACCEPTABLE.
Nikki Moylan • Apr 21, 2017 at 10:05 am
We had to edit the name out because Berkeley PD has not confirmed or denied the unidentified at this time.
Buck • Apr 21, 2017 at 12:51 am
It must be awful for him, simply awful. All he wanted to do was crack someone’s head open with a bike lock, and these deplorable 4channers think it’s their right to identify him for prosecution.
What about the professor’s right to privacy? He was wearing a mask, that means he didn’t consent to being identified.
Darrick Evenson • Apr 20, 2017 at 8:45 pm
Of course, the Liberal administrators at DVC will close ranks, and protect one of their own; even though he could have cracked the skull of that guy, who was doing nothing but holding up his hands. Shameful. Absolutely SHAMEFUL. I hope professor (name withheld) goes to jail. Oh, wait, this is California. I’ll be surprised if DVC even suspends him much less fires him.
Nikki Moylan • Apr 21, 2017 at 10:16 am
Thanks for your comment. We had to edit the name out because Berkeley PD has not confirmed or denied the unidentified at this time.