ACLU demands universities turn a blind eye to pro-Hamas student groups

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Wednesday urged college and university presidents not to investigate chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) for pro-Hamas demonstrations and statements, according to a letter.

SJP chapters on several US college campuses signed a pro-Palestinian overture letters and it was maintained rallies following the terrorist Hamas of October 7 attacks about Israel The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) sent letter to more than 200 universities on Oct. 27 saying that any state or federal support for SJP chapters could constitute support for terrorism, the ACLU responded by arguing that the ADL lacked evidence and encouraged a violation of Freedom of expression. seconds at the foot of the letter.

“The ACLU is a US-focused human rights and civil liberties organization and, as a matter of official policy, does not take positions on the conflicts of other nations abroad. However, we strongly oppose efforts to stifle free speech, free association, and academic freedom here at home. In the name of these principles, we urge you to reject calls to investigate, disband, or sanction student groups based on their exercise of free speech,” the ACLU wrote in the letter.

“To be clear, the ACLU in no way condones or endorses these statements. Supporting the brutal mass killings of civilians is contrary to the human rights principles that drive our domestic agenda. However, under the basic principles of freedom of speech, these statements are constitutionally protected. University officials may criticize or condemn the statements contained in the National SJP toolkit. These statements, however, are not material support for terrorism, but political advocacy fully protected by the First Amendment,” the ACLU continued.

Students from all over the USA celebrated you protest in support of the Palestinians and in opposition to Israel on many US college campuses, many of them using slogans and images explicitly associated with violent acts against Israel. University of South Florida students chanted, “Resistance is justified!” and the University of North Carolina chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine used a paraglider in their publication advocating for a pro-Palestine demonstration.

Student groups at many elite universities and colleges, including Harvard University, Columbia Universityi Yale University, made statements in support of the Palestinians after the terrorist attack in Israel.

Administration of Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis orderly two Florida universities to remove Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters from their campuses in October.

“Based on National SJP’s support for terrorism, in consultation with Governor DeSantis, student chapters must be deactivated,” read one letter by Ray Rodrigues, the chancellor of the University of Florida system.

“We have no evidence to suggest that the National SJP published the statements referred to by Chancellor Rodrigues in coordination with or at the direction of Hamas. If there is no coordination and direction, the independent defense of the National SJP is fully protected by the First Amendment,” the ACLU said in the letter.

The ACLU and ADL did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.

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