Ron DeSantis prohibits student organization backing terrorist group at Florida campuses.
When does campus activism move from free speech to material support for terrorism?
One could fairly easily — and noncontroversially — posit that the line gets drawn whenever the activists specifically say they’re joining with the terrorists, and not just in solidarity. If they’ve issued a so-called toolkit to get involved in the terror group’s activities, that should be another big, honking red flag.
And yet, we’re debating the state of Florida’s decision to shut down campus-based Students for Justice in Palestine organizations after they did, well, exactly that.
On Tuesday, University System of Florida Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, in consultation with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, issued a memorandum deactivating SJP groups in “our State University System and the Florida College System.”
Cue the outcry over free speech, despite the group’s blatant terrorist sympathies.
“During a holy Jewish holiday, the recognized terrorist organization, Hamas, launched an unprovoked attack on Israel — among those killed were babies, women, and elderly,” Rodrigues wrote in the memorandum. “To date, approximately 1,400 Israelis have been killed, including 31 American citizens. Governor DeSantis, our State University System and the Florida College System have condemned these attacks.”
As Rodrigues noted, the name of the attack, as given by Hamas, is “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.” In response to the attack, the national chapter of the SJP issued a “toolkit” identifying members of the organization as “the resistance” and making it clear that “Palestinian students in exile are PART of this movement, not in solidarity with this movement.”
Furthermore, as The Associated Press noted, the group has long encouraged the tacitly anti-Semitic BDS movement, which aims to treat Israel as an “apartheid state” and boycott, divest from and sanction it the same way the world did with apartheid South Africa.
“Based on the National SJP’s support of terrorism, in consultation with Governor DeSantis, the student chapters must be deactivated,” Rodrigues wrote.
Granted, this raises free speech concerns, given that these chapters are at state-funded schools and have their First Amendment free-speech rights.
However, as Rodrigues pointed out, Florida makes it a felony to “knowingly provide material support … to a designated foreign terrorist organization.”
NEW: Governor DeSantis just ordered the University of Florida and the University of South Florida to deactivate their “Students for Justice in Palestine” groups for violating Florida’s laws against antisemitism. pic.twitter.com/Y3B6hLnRJZ
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) October 24, 2023
Hamas is, of course, an internationally recognized terrorist organization that also happens to technically control the Gaza Strip’s political power thanks to a one-man-one-vote-one-time legislative election in 2006. That doesn’t remove the terrorist element from the group’s makeup, nor does it make “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” anything more than a barbaric act of terrorism under international law.
But, yet again, DeSantis is cracking down on free speech, to hear SJP-friendly groups tell it.
“Florida, particularly under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, has been actively undermining education, freedom of speech and social justice movements, including by banning anti-racist courses and trying to criminalize protests,” Palestine Legal, a group that supports pro-Palestinian causes, said in a Wednesday statement.
“It is not surprising that this egregious move to silence the student movement for Palestinian rights is being pursued under DeSantis,” the group said.
Same thing with free speech organizations, too: “If it goes unchallenged, no one’s political beliefs will be safe from government suppression,” the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression said in a statement, adding the government doesn’t have the power to ban chapters of the SJP even if the organization is breaking the law.
Now, to be clear, the State University System of Florida said in its letter that banned student chapters “may form another organization that complies with Florida state statutes and university policies.” Which wouldn’t involve lending their support to a terrorist organization, of course, or declaring that they were “PART of this” terrorist attack on the state of Israel.
And the media, ever looking to keep the narrative going, tied this back in with the false narratives that Florida teaches students that slavery is good and that diversity is bad: “Under DeSantis, Florida has limited how race can be discussed in schools, prohibited state universities from spending money on diversity, equality and inclusion programs and taken other actions that critics say limit free speech on campus,” the AP claimed.
Look, if you want to buy into the silly race canard or beat the dead DEI horse again, fine. However, to equate professed material support for the Hamas effort with controversial curriculum items is beyond the pale.
If these student organizations wish to continue supporting the Hamas cause with their speech, they’re more than able to do so — as Rodrigues made clear.
The reason they’ve been shut down is because they’re part of a national organization that doesn’t just lend its verbal and political support to Hamas’ terror attacks but expressly declares itself a part of those attacks and gives members the tools it feels they need to assist.
The question shouldn’t be whether this is a free-speech crackdown on DeSantis’ part, but whether other governors have the good sense to follow his lead — no matter what legal battle might ensue.
An Urgent Note from Our Staff:
The Western Journal has been labeled “dangerous” simply because we have a biblical worldview and speak the truth about what is happening in America.
We refuse to let Big Tech and woke advertisers dictate the content we share with our community. We stand for truth. We stand for freedom. We stand with our readers.
We’re asking you to help us in this fight. We can’t do this without you.
Your donation directly helps fund our editorial team of writers and editors. Your support means we can continue to expose false narratives and defend traditional American values.
Please stand with us by donating today.
Thank you for your support!
The post Ron DeSantis Bans Student Organization on Florida Campuses for Support of Terrorist Group appeared first on The Western Journal.
How do you distinguish between free speech and material support for terrorism, especially in the context of college campuses?
(@MaryMargOlohan)October 25, 2023
Deactivation of these groups is not an arbitrary decision; it is a response to actions that cross the line from free speech to material support for terrorism.
The distinction between free speech and material support for terrorism can be a delicate one, especially on college campuses where activism and political engagement are encouraged and valued. Students have the right to express their views and engage in peaceful protests. However, when that activism crosses the line into endorsing or actively supporting terrorist organizations, it becomes a matter of national security.
In the case of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), the evidence of their support for terrorism is clear. Their response to the Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians, was not merely one of solidarity or condemnation. They explicitly identified themselves as ”the resistance” and affirmed their involvement in the movement. This goes beyond free speech and enters the realm of material support for terrorism.
Additionally, the SJP’s long-standing support for the BDS movement further demonstrates their stance against Israel. While criticism of a country’s policies or political actions is permissible, promoting a movement that seeks to delegitimize and economically harm a state crosses the line into hostility and potential discrimination.
The decision to deactivate SJP groups in Florida’s state-funded schools is not a violation of free speech, but rather a necessary response to actions that align with Florida’s laws against providing material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations. Chancellor Ray Rodrigues and Governor Ron DeSantis have a responsibility to protect the safety and security of their constituents, including students on college campuses.
However, it is important to note that this decision does raise valid concerns about balancing free speech rights and national security. It is crucial to ensure that any decisions regarding the deactivation of campus organizations are made based on evidence of material support for terrorism and not simply as a means of silencing dissenting voices or suppressing activism.
Colleges and universities play a vital role in fostering intellectual diversity and promoting open dialogue. Students should be encouraged to express their views, challenge established ideas, and engage in peaceful activism. However, when that activism crosses the line into endorsing or supporting terrorism, it is necessary to take appropriate action to protect the campus community and uphold the values of safety and security.
In conclusion, the deactivation of Students for Justice in Palestine groups in Florida’s state-funded schools is not a violation of free speech, but a response to actions that go beyond peaceful protest and enter the realm of material support for terrorism. While it is crucial to protect free speech rights on college campuses, the line must be drawn when activism aligns with designated foreign terrorist organizations. The decision made by Chancellor Ray Rodrigues and Governor Ron DeSantis reflects a commitment to the safety and security of their constituents, and the maintenance of a campus environment that fosters intellectual diversity and open dialogue.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
Now loading...