Hate Has No Place at PCC - About PCC

Tolerance, like any aspect of peace, is forever a work in progress, never completed and, if we're as intelligent as we like to think we are, never abandoned.

Octavia Butler, PCC alumna 1968

“Pasadena City College will work to activate every member of our community to take a stand against racially motivated hate, intimidation, threats and violence.”

Dr. Kari Bolen, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer

"The real power of any movement is how we work together with other social justice movements."

Dustin Lance Black, PCC Alumnus 1994

"The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time."

Jackie Robinson, PCC Alumnus 1936

"One of the greatest things in life is that no one has the authority to tell you what you want to be. You're the one who'll decide what you want to be."

Jaime Escalante, PCC Alumnus 1969

Hate has no place at PCC

#stophate

We stand with you.

PCC denounces hatred and violence in all its forms and is committed to humanity and social justice as an ongoing endeavor that we highly value.

Many organizations within PCC have passed resolutions or issued official statements condemning hatred.

Statement from the Superintendent/President, June 17, 2026

Dear Colleagues:

Thank you all for making PCC’s 100th Commencement a wonderful event. Nothing compares to seeing the joy, pride, hopefulness, and happiness of our students and their families at Commencement. I’m grateful to everyone who helped create an unforgettable experience for the Class of 2026.

Commencement reminds us of what is most beautiful about this community: we come together to honor our students, celebrate their accomplishments, and share in the joy of their families and loved ones. But there are other times when we share in the pain caused by hurtful acts. On Monday we learned that the Pride Center’s flag was ripped down from the R Building on campus. This likely happened over the weekend. I speak unequivocally when I say this act does not reflect who we are as a community, and we reject all forms of hate speech and hate acts.

Earlier this month, PCC marked the first day of Pride Month with a party at the Mirror Pools: live music, dancing, food, and moving speeches. The celebration included a ceremonial lighting of the Mirror Pool area in the rainbow colors of the Pride flag. LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff are part of the PCC community, and they deserve to feel seen, valued, respected, and safe. Our celebration and our everyday love, support, and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community will, and must always, speak louder than any act of hate.

After a long semester of working on behalf of our students, you all deserve a moment to exhale and bask in their success, and yours. Nothing should overshadow that joy. At the same time, moments like this remind us of the importance of continuing to care for another and to stand firmly for the inclusive community we strive to be.

Whether you are on break or working through the summer, I wish you a good summer.

Sincerely,
José A. Gómez
President