A coalition of labor unions and faculty associations representing UC employees filed suit Tuesday aiming to stop the Trump administration from suspending research grants and seeking a $1.2-billion fine against UCLA.

The lawsuit filed in federal court for the Northern District of California accuses the administration of President Donald Trump of attempting to unlawfully stifle free speech within the UC system.

The coalition is seeking a court order to block the Trump administration from further use of financial threats to “coerce” the UC system to accede to demands that plaintiffs allege will harm faculty, staff and students, and that is in violation of the Constitution and existing law.

“We will not stand by as the Trump administration tries to destroy one of the largest public universi

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