UMass lecturer supports pro-Hamas protesters, vows legal assistance.
‘You don’t have to worry about finding a lawyer,’ Rachel Weber assures students advocating terrorism against Israelis
A lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Rachel Weber, who has refused to condemn Hamas, is now offering free legal representation to anti-Israel protesters on campus. This includes those who have called for terrorism against Israelis and even yelled ”kill yourself” at police officers.
During a recent “sit-in” protest held on the university grounds, Weber, a trial attorney and lecturer, extended her legal support to student protesters who planned to be arrested for trespassing near the chancellor’s office. Weber assured them, “You don’t have to worry about finding a lawyer,” before distributing $1,000 in bail money to the students. Subsequently, police arrested numerous protesters who chanted “Long Live the Intifada” during the event. The protesters also clashed with the police, hurling insults such as “coward,” “pigs,” “kill yourself,” and “get a real job” at the responding officers.
Weber’s backing of these students, who sympathize with terrorists, comes at a time when anti-Semitic demonstrations are escalating on college campuses across the United States. In many instances, professors and faculty members have contributed to these demonstrations. For instance, at Cornell University, history professor Russell Rickford described Hamas’s assault on the Jewish state on Oct. 7 as “exhilarating” and “energizing” during an anti-Israel rally.
Weber herself has refused to condemn Hamas. Just days before the “sit-in” protest, she engaged in a debate with students during an anti-Israel rally, where attendees celebrated the “historic win” of Hamas’s attack. When a supporter of Israel asked Weber if she condemns terrorism, she evaded the question, stating, “It’s not a yes or no question.”
New Canary Mission profile. Rachel Weber, @jvplive organizer & lecturer at @UMassAmherst, refused to condemn Hamas’s terror attacks when asked by a pro-Israel student. Instead, Weber said, ‘It’s not a yes or no question.” https://t.co/fhsZDxjF0V pic.twitter.com/5myeTaj5nf
— Canary Mission (@canarymission) October 30, 2023
Weber, who teaches a class on “abolition theory” at the university, did not respond to a request for comment. In a statement sent to the Washington Free Beacon, the university acknowledged that the “sit-in” protesters do not align with its publicly stated positions and policies but recognized the right of students and faculty to demonstrate on campus.
Weber has a long history of involvement with anti-Israel organizations. She is a member of the National Lawyers Guild, a self-described “progressive bar association” that proudly supports the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, a terror-linked group leading boycott campaigns against Israel. Weber also highlights her work with ”Palestine Legal,” a legal defense group that accused Israel of genocide and war crimes following Hamas’s attack. The group condemned elected officials for accusing protesters advocating for Palestinian rights of anti-Semitism and support for terrorism.
However, Weber has defended Hamas and its barbaric attack on Israel. During her viral exchange with a pro-Israel student, Weber argued that one’s perception of the attack depends on “when you start the clock.”
“Reality all begins when you start the clock. And so, if you start the clock on Saturday, the reality is going to look one way,” Weber told the student. “If you start the clock, you know, like, weeks prior, it’s going to sound a different way. If you start the clock in 1948, it looks a different way. We have to acknowledge that.” Hamas’s attack resulted in the deaths of at least 1,400 Israelis, including innocent women and children.
Weber obtained the bail money she distributed to student protesters at the “sit-in” protest from the Western Mass Bailout Project, an organization that posts bail for accused criminals “without judgment with respect to charges.”
“We are led by abolitionist policies and believe in the importance of centering the voices and experiences of those who are currently and formerly incarcerated,” the group states on its website. “Together, we can build a future without mass incarceration.”
The Western Mass Bailout Project did not respond to a request for comment.
How can universities strike a balance between protecting freedom of expression and ensuring that it is not used as a platform for promoting violence or hate speech
Students to protest and express their opinions. However, the university also emphasized that it does not condone any form of violence or hate speech.
The growing trend of anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses is concerning and must be addressed. While freedom of speech is a fundamental right, it should not be used as a platform to support or encourage violence or terrorism. It is essential for universities to create an environment that fosters open dialogue and respectful debate, rather than promoting radical ideologies.
By offering free legal representation to students who advocate for terrorism against Israelis, Rachel Weber is undermining the principles of justice and the rule of law. It is deeply troubling that a lecturer, who should prioritize critical thinking and academic integrity, is supporting individuals who promote violence and hate. Weber’s refusal to condemn Hamas further raises questions about her own beliefs and ideology.
It is not just Weber who is contributing to this troubling trend. Across college campuses in the United States, there have been instances where professors and faculty members have actively participated in or endorsed anti-Israel demonstrations. The case of history professor Russell Rickford at Cornell University praising Hamas’s assault on Israel is a clear example of this. These incidents demonstrate the need for universities to monitor and address the actions and statements of their staff to ensure a balanced and inclusive educational environment.
Universities have a responsibility to promote diversity of thought and respect for all students, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. While freedom of expression should be protected, it should not be used as a shield for promoting violence or hate speech. Students must be encouraged to engage in informed and respectful discussions, rather than becoming radicalized or supporting extremist ideologies.
In conclusion, the offer of free legal representation by Rachel Weber to students advocating terrorism against Israelis is deeply concerning. It highlights the need for universities to promote an environment of critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and academic integrity. By refusing to condemn Hamas and supporting individuals who promote violence, Weber undermines the principles of justice and the rule of law. It is essential for universities to address and counteract the growing trend of anti-Israel sentiment on campuses, ensuring that all students feel safe and respected.
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