Current:Home > MarketsDeSantis administration moves to disband Pro-Palestinian student groups at colleges-LoTradeCoin
DeSantis administration moves to disband Pro-Palestinian student groups at colleges
View Date:2024-12-24 00:20:13
Gov. Ron DeSantis' top education official is moving to disband at least two student groups at Florida universities after claiming their national organization supports "terrorism."
Florida Education Chancellor Ray Rodrigues sent a letter to university officials saying the two National Students for Justice in Palestine chapters "must be deactivated," according to a copy of the letter obtained by FOX News.
Rodrigues' letter implies that National Students for Justice in Palestine's actions don't constitute free speech, which is protected under the U.S. Constitution. His letter includes a warning to college leaders and says that state officials are working "to ensure we are all using all tools at our disposal to crack down on campus demonstrations that delve beyond protected First Amendment speech into harmful support for terrorist groups."
"These measures could include necessary adverse employment actions and suspensions for school officials."
Israel-Hamas war:sparks many misleading claims online. Here's what's true and false.
DeSantis cracking down on student groups
Rodrigues said he sent the letter after consulting with DeSantis, who came under fire Tuesday by prominent Florida Republican Randy Fine, a Jewish state representative who accused the governor of not being strong enough against antisemitism and switched his endorsement to former President Donald Trump.
Fine praised DeSantis' crackdown on the student groups in a post on X, but said it should have happened sooner.
Israel-Hamas war:Biden warns Iran not to attack American troops as Israel-Hamas war continues
National SJP
Rodrigues' letter states that National Students for Justice in Palestine released a "toolkit" supportive of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, the name given by Hamas to the group's surprise attack in Israel on Oct. 7. More than 1,400 Israelis were killed in the attack and it's aftermath.
"The National Students for Justice in Palestine (National SJP) released a 'toolkit' which refers to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood as 'the resistance' and unequivocally states: 'Palestinian students in exile are PART of this movement, not in solidarity with this movement,'" according to Rodrigues' letter.
Rodrigues goes on to note that it is a felony in Florida to provide "material support" to a foreign terrorist organization, which Hamas is considered under U.S. law.
"National SJP has affirmatively identified it is part of the Operation Al-Aqsa Flood — a terrorist led attack," Rodrigues states.
At least two Florida universities have active chapters of National Students for Justice in Palestine, according to Rodrigues' letter, which doesn't name the universities.
A Florida State University spokesperson said its students for Justice in Palestine organization has not been active on campus for over a year. She said she's unsure why it became inactive.
But the chapter at the University of South Florida posted on its Instagram that it was one of those affected.
In a post last week, the group said it stood in "full solidarity with Palestinian resistance" but that it "promotes peace and condemns all forms of violence."
In a statement emailed to the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, the University of Florida chapter said it was the other chapter.
"We find the recent attempt by the DeSantis administration to shut down our chapter disgraceful," the group wrote. "If followed through, a precedent would be set to shut down any organization that does not align with the ideals held by Governor DeSantis, making this not just a setback for those who oppose apartheid, settler-colonialism and genocide, but for any who challenge the status quo.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression called the directive dangerous and unconstitutional.
"There’s no indication from the chancellor’s letter that any action from Florida’s Students for Justice in Palestine groups went beyond expression fully protected by the First Amendment," FIRE wrote in an emailed statement. "If it goes unchallenged, no one’s political beliefs will be safe from government suppression."
The group hosted a discussion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where speakers were critical of Israel and its treatment of Palestinians.
The ACLU of Florida also blasted the effort to shutdown the student groups.
"The Governor's actions are transparently unconstitutional," said ACLU of Florida interim Executive Director Howard Simon. "This directive does nothing to protect students and the Jewish community. Instead of keeping students and the Jewish community safe, he is simply silencing ideas he doesn't like. This attack on free speech is dangerous and likely won’t be the last.”
Rodrigues' letter comes after Fine wrote DeSantis earlier this month calling for the expulsion of college students expressing support for the surprise attack on Israel, though that may run into First Amendment issues, experts warn.
Hamas' attack and massacre of civilians and Israel's retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip, which have killed thousands, have put the conflict in the Middle East back at the center of national discussions.
DeSantis has been sharply critical of pro-Palestinian demonstrations as he runs for president, saying that if elected he would seek to revoke visas from foreign students who express support for Hamas. He also says all residents of Gaza refugees are anti-Semitic and shouldn't be allowed in America as refugees.
More:UN chief say he wasn't justifying terrorism after Israel urges his ouster: Updates
veryGood! (19331)
Related
- US Diplomats Notch a Win on Climate Super Pollutants With Help From the Private Sector
- Prosecutors charge a South Carolina man with carjacking and the killing of a New Mexico officer
- These Teeth Whitening Deals from Amazon's Spring Sale Will Make You Smile Nonstop
- Relatives of Tyre Nichols, George Floyd and Eric Garner say lack of police reform is frustrating
- About Charles Hanover
- Fired high school coach says she was told to watch how much she played 'brown kids'
- What is known about Kate’s cancer diagnosis
- Georgia bill would give utility regulators extra years in office without facing voters
- Kendall Jenner Is Back to Being a Brunette After Ditching Blonde Hair
- Maryland US Rep. David Trone apologizes for using racial slur at hearing. He says it was inadvertent
Ranking
- LSU student arrested over threats to governor who wanted a tiger at college football games
- Who is Princess Kate? Age, family, what to know about Princess of Wales amid cancer news
- Democratic state senator files paperwork for North Dakota gubernatorial bid
- Body of Riley Strain, missing student, found in Nashville's Cumberland River: Police
- Moana 2 Star Dwayne Johnson Shares the Empowering Message Film Sends to Young Girls
- Elena Larrea, Social Media Influencer and Animal Activist, Dead at 31
- Fill up your gas tank and prepare to wait. Some tips to prepare for April’s total solar eclipse
- Bella Hadid, Erehwon, TikTok influencers are using sea moss. Is it actually good for you?
Recommendation
-
4 arrested in California car insurance scam: 'Clearly a human in a bear suit'
-
Jack Gohlke joins ESPN's Pat McAfee after Oakland's historic March Madness win vs. Kentucky
-
DC attorney general argues NHL’s Capitals, NBA’s Wizards must play in Washington through 2047
-
Lindsay Lohan, Ayesha Curry and More Surprising Celebrity Friendships
-
Jason Kelce Offers Up NSFW Explanation for Why Men Have Beards
-
Alabama gambling bill faces uncertain outlook in second half of legislative session
-
Kevin Bacon to attend prom at high school where 'Footloose' was filmed for 40th anniversary
-
Horoscopes Today, March 22, 2024