A federal judge refused to take action against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over his efforts to deactivate pro-Palestinian student groups on college campuses, denying injunctions sought by the University of Florida and University of South Florida chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine. The judge ruled that neither the Governor nor the Chancellor have the formal power to punish student organizations, and that no actions have been taken to pursue deactivation. DeSantis, who has since suspended his 2024 Presidential campaign, claimed victory in kicking the pro-Palestinian groups off Florida campuses, citing concerns about anti-Israel demonstrations and threats against Jewish students.
Anti-Israel student demonstrators at Columbia University claim they were sprayed with a chemical during a protest, causing headaches, fatigue, and nausea. The university has banned the alleged perpetrators from campus and is working with authorities to investigate the incident, which some claim was a hate crime. The unsanctioned protest by Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace violated university policies, leading to threats of interim sanctions.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Columbia University reported being targeted with a stink bomb during a protest in support of Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war. The New York Police Department is investigating the incident, and the university's Department of Public Safety is collaborating with authorities. The affected groups, Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, have condemned the attack as a hate crime. This incident comes amid nationwide debates and protests on college campuses regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The University of South Florida (USF) chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) has filed a federal lawsuit against state and university officials, alleging that their First Amendment rights were violated. The lawsuit targets Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, USF President Rhea Law, the state Board of Governors, and the USF board of trustees. The lawsuit claims that the USF SJP chapter's free speech rights were violated and that they never provided support for terrorism, as alleged by Rodrigues. The group is seeking an injunction against the state order to disband.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has been leading the charge against Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters in the United States, equating anti-Zionism and criticism of Israel with antisemitism. The ADL has called for law enforcement to surveil and investigate student activists, and even labeled Jewish Voice for Peace as a "hate group." By weaponizing antisemitism, the ADL aims to silence critics of Israel and maintain the status quo. This McCarthyite climate of fear and repression is reminiscent of the ADL's history of working with law enforcement to criminalize Black and brown communities. The ADL's actions undermine free speech and civil rights, while supporting right-wing extremism and institutionalizing white supremacy.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration are facing legal challenges on two fronts. The University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, with support from the ACLU, filed a lawsuit after the chancellor of Florida's university system ordered schools to disband the chapters, claiming it violated their First Amendment rights. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the DeSantis administration's request to enforce a law aimed at preventing children from attending drag shows, with a judge previously ruling that the law violated First Amendment rights.
Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a pro-Palestinian student group, has become a prominent and controversial organization on college campuses across the United States. With a decentralized structure and no national headquarters, SJP has been able to rapidly expand its presence and influence. However, critics argue that the group promotes antisemitism and intimidation tactics. While some have raised concerns about potential financial ties to Hamas, no concrete evidence has been presented. SJP members maintain that their focus is on advocating for Palestinian rights and combating issues like white supremacy and antisemitism. The group's recent activities have drawn attention and sparked debates about free speech and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A pro-Palestinian student group at the University of Florida is suing the school and Governor Ron DeSantis after an attempt was made to deactivate the organization. The deactivation order was issued by the chancellor of Florida's university system, in consultation with DeSantis, after the group expressed support for the Palestinian "resistance" and made controversial statements about Israel. The ACLU of Florida and Palestine Legal have filed a preliminary injunction on behalf of the student group, arguing that the deactivation order violates their First Amendment rights. DeSantis defended the decision, stating that groups supporting terrorist organizations have no place on Florida university campuses.
Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at George Washington University (GWU) has been suspended from hosting and participating in on-campus activities for 90 days following an anti-Israel demonstration where messages were projected onto Gelman Library. The university has also prohibited SJP from posting communications on GW property until May 2024. SJP plans to challenge the decision, claiming it is a political response to growing backlash against Palestinian organizing. The suspension comes amidst a wave of similar actions at other universities, including Columbia and Brandeis.
Columbia University has suspended the far-left student groups Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) through the end of the fall term, citing repeated violations of university policies, including threatening rhetoric and intimidation. The suspension means the groups will not be eligible to hold events on campus or receive university funding. The university stated that the suspension will be lifted if the groups demonstrate a commitment to compliance with university policies and engage in consultations with university officials. The decision comes after the groups organized a walkout and made demands related to Israel's actions against Gaza.
The University of Maryland is investigating a pro-Palestinian rally organized by Students for Justice in Palestine after students reported antisemitic messages, including "Holocaust 2.0," written in chalk on campus walkways. Witnesses also heard calls for an "Intifada." The university condemned the offensive actions and launched an immediate investigation, with Maryland law enforcement conducting threat assessments. The Anti-Defamation League and Jewish groups issued a joint statement condemning the rally. Students for Justice in Palestine has faced suspensions and loss of recognition at other universities for its support of Hamas and its call for the elimination of Israel.
Columbia University has suspended the far-left student groups Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) through the end of the fall term, citing repeated violations of university policies and an unauthorized event that included threatening rhetoric and intimidation. This comes after Brandeis University also banned SJP for its statements supporting Hamas. The suspension means the groups are not eligible to hold events on campus or receive university funding, and lifting the suspension will depend on their commitment to compliance with university policies. The decision has drawn both support and criticism, with pro-Israel voices applauding the move and pro-Palestinian voices denouncing it as censorship.
Columbia University has suspended its Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) chapters after the two groups held an unsanctioned event on campus that included threatening rhetoric and intimidation. The suspension means the groups will not be able to hold events on campus or receive university funding. The decision comes amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents on campus and follows Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's executive action banning SJP from the state's university system.
Columbia University has suspended Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) as official student groups due to repeated violations of campus event policies, including an unauthorized event with threatening rhetoric and intimidation. The suspension means the groups cannot hold events on campus or receive funding, and it will be lifted only if they demonstrate compliance with university policies and engage in consultations with university officials. The university emphasizes the importance of community safety and the need for all student groups to abide by rules and cooperate with administrators.
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.
