State: California
City: Los Angeles
Campus: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Fernando Pérez Montesinos is an assistant professor of history at UCLA who has positioned himself as a vocal faculty supporter of pro-Palestinian encampments and anti-Zionist activism on campus. Frequently interviewed in Spanish-language outlets and identified as a Mexican scholar, Pérez leverages both his academic role and public platform to legitimize protest movements that glorify “resistance,” normalize radical narratives, and frame university and police responses as “brutality.”
His activism extends beyond UCLA, connecting faculty networks, student activists, and outside organizations in the broader Los Angeles and international academic communities. Pérez has demanded the resignation of UCLA leadership, signed faculty statements defending encampments, and framed campus crackdowns as aligned with “white supremacy” and right-wing coalitions.
UCLA Faculty for Palestine – Participated in demonstrations and sign-on statements in support of encampments.
World Socialist Web Site coverage (May 2024) – Identified as part of UCLA faculty presence in pro-Palestinian protests connected to UAW worker strikes.
Collective UCLA Faculty Letters (2024): One of ~200 professors endorsing statements against UCLA administration and police actions.
Faculty Letters (May 2024):
Signed statements condemning UCLA administration for labeling encampments “unauthorized.”
Accused Chancellor Gene Block of failing to protect students and demanded his resignation.
Called for “independent investigation” led by students into police actions at UCLA and Columbia.
Public Commentary (Enfoque Noticias, May 2024):
Interviewed as an “expert” on UCLA encampments.
Criticized UCLA for “refusing dialogue” and accused administration of siding with “white supremacists” and right-wing groups.
Claimed police targeted protesters with rubber bullets, mentioning injuries to Mexican students.
Declared UCLA was “investing in war.”
Faculty Protests (Spring 2024):
Spotted participating in UCLA Faculty for Palestine demonstrations supporting encampments.
Criticized alleged “police brutality” at UCLA and Columbia.
World Socialist Web Site (May 2024):
Photographed at UCLA faculty protests amid broader UAW strikes, aligning faculty activism with pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Risk Level: High
Pérez Montesinos uses his academic authority to amplify and legitimize pro-Hamas encampments, anti-Zionist protest rhetoric, and narratives portraying violent protests as “peaceful resistance.” His consistent media appearances, faculty leadership, and calls for resignations of UCLA leadership elevate him beyond a campus-level activist into a national voice defending radical student activism. By presenting himself internationally as an “expert,” he helps export UCLA’s protest narrative abroad, influencing both U.S. and foreign audiences.
