Cal Poly Humboldt students continue to occupy campus buildings Tuesday, following last night’s clash between pro-Palestinian protesters and numerous local law enforcement agencies. The collision of worldviews has led to the cancellation of all the day’s scheduled classes and on-campus events. 

One such event: CPH’s Critical Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies Department (CRGS) was set to kick off its annual Hip Hop Conference today. The three-day event was supposed to be an opportunity to “create space for the Black and Brown diaspora in Humboldt to build community, and learn about the important cultural and sociopolitical history of hip hop.”

This year’s conference was to be highlighted by a Tuesday evening key note address in the Van Duzer Theatre by none other than Public Enemy frontman and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Chuck D. The events of last night, however, have made his appearance impossible. This morning, people who had registered for free tickets to the event received an email from CRGS, containing the following message:

In light of current events on Cal Poly Humboldt’s campus, we are searching for an off-campus alternative location. This event is not currently canceled and we will update everyone as soon as possible.

A few hours later, a second email announced that Chuck D’s appearance, as well as the remainder of this year’s Hip Hop Conference, have simply been canceled. “Thank you for your understanding,” the second email states.