"ACLU and US Rights Group Defend Free Speech for Pro-Palestine Activists Amid Accusations"

The ACLU has criticized the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for accusing pro-Palestine student groups, specifically Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), of supporting Hamas without evidence. The ADL had sent an open letter to college and university presidents asking them to investigate SJP for possible material support of Hamas. The ACLU defended SJP's activism as constitutionally protected by the First Amendment and urged university leaders to reject calls for investigation or penalization based on free speech rights. The ADL argued that SJP's statements and actions closely align with Hamas and warrant investigation, while the ACLU warned against stifling free speech and academic freedom. Florida's state university system has already shut down SJP chapters, accusing them of affirmatively identifying with Hamas. The ACLU cited the McCarthy era as a cautionary example of the dangers of policing speech and associations.