Controlled by Hate’: Anti-Semites Seize Stanford’s Campus
Stanford University Forum on Combating Anti-Semitism Marred by Violence and Intimidation
On January 24, Stanford University held a forum on combating anti-Semitism, featuring Stanford president Richard Saller and provost Jenny Martinez. The purpose of the event was to reassure Jewish students that the university supported them in the face of rising anti-Semitism on college campuses.
“We really do want to make sure that all of the communities on campus get the respect that they deserve,” Saller told the forum. “We’re committed to equal treatment and equal protection.”
However, the events that unfolded that night contradicted this message. Protesters physically threatened Jewish students, harassed a rabbi, and made threatening remarks to university employees. One graduate student, David Schuller, wearing a yarmulke, found himself surrounded by hecklers when he approached the protest outside the forum.
The mob chanted at Schuller, “The IDF killed your hostages,” as captured in videos obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. One protester even whispered a threat in Schuller’s ear. Schuller had to inform the police about the threat of physical violence.
Another confrontation occurred on a nearby quad, where protesters made derogatory remarks to Jewish students, telling them to “go back to Brooklyn” and calling white people “terrorists.” They also expressed their intent to destroy Israel and America.
As administrators tried to maintain order, some protesters issued threats.
“Stanford employees, we know your names and we know where you work,” one protester said, according to a video obtained by the Free Beacon.
“And we will soon find out where you live,” another chimed in.
The situation escalated further as protesters followed people leaving the forum, chanting “shame” and confronting them with signs.
Rabbi Dov Greenberg, from Stanford Chabad, was also targeted by the protesters, who chanted offensive slogans at him.
The Washington Free Beacon obtained videos showing these incidents, which involved both Stanford students and members of the surrounding community. Stanford spokeswoman Dee Mostofi stated that the university was unable to positively identify the protesters and believed they were from outside the campus community.
The videos reveal a chaotic campus environment where Jewish students face physical intimidation, and administrators seem to have relinquished control to agitators. Witnesses claim that the protest on January 24 was just the beginning of ongoing mayhem.
Students have called on their peers to “take up arms” and have vandalized pro-Israel signs. Classes have been disrupted, buildings defaced, and campus quads taken over.
Incidents of harassment have also occurred within academic settings. For example, posters promoting the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement were found in a classroom where a professor taught a course called “Understanding Jews.” Pro-Palestinian students have camped out overnight on campus, defying administrative orders to leave. Jewish students have even faced harassment from their own instructors.
In one shocking incident, a teaching assistant for a computer science class approached a pro-Israel display with a sign that read “Ask Me About Jihad.” When confronted by Jewish students, the teaching assistant expressed support for the assassination of President Joe Biden and stated that Hamas would be preferable to the current U.S. government.
The university was informed of this encounter but did not remove the teaching assistant from grading duties, citing a policy that allows students to request their work to be regraded by a different instructor. The student who reported the incident expressed concern about biased grading.
While Stanford claims to take accusations of discriminatory behavior seriously, the incidents captured in videos and other evidence could potentially lead to a discrimination lawsuit and warrant an investigation. Legal experts argue that threats and intimidation are not protected by the First Amendment, even at private universities.
According to Nadine Strossen, former president of the American Civil Liberties Union, the protesters at the forum clearly crossed the line into harassment and threats. She emphasizes that the context of the speech matters, and statements that may be allowed in public spaces can become unlawful when targeted at individuals or accompanied by threatening behavior.
Stanford’s failure to enforce its own policies regarding student protests has contributed to a climate of disruption and disorder on campus. Students have marched through academic buildings, taken over lecture podiums, and even performed a pro-Gaza rap in a classroom.
Stanford has not taken disciplinary action against these disruptive students, leading to accusations of selective enforcement. The university’s handling of the recent conflict between the Blue and White Tent, a pro-Israel display, and the Sit-In to Stop Genocide, a pro-Palestinian group, has raised concerns about discriminatory treatment and inconsistent application of campus rules.
The university initially ordered both groups to leave White Plaza, but while the Blue and White Tent complied, the Sit-In to Stop Genocide refused to disperse. Stanford engaged in negotiations with the pro-Palestinian students instead of enforcing its own directives. This differential treatment has been criticized as discriminatory and potentially legally problematic.
After extended negotiations, the sit-in agreed to vacate White Plaza in exchange for meetings with the administration to discuss their demands, which include divestment from Israel and a university-funded trip to Gaza. However, if the meetings do not yield satisfactory progress, the sit-in has vowed to resume their occupation of White Plaza.
As tensions continue to escalate, Stanford University finds itself grappling with a campus environment marred by violence, intimidation, and a lack of control over student protests.
What actions can universities take to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, specifically addressing the rise in anti-Semitism?
Panied by acts of intimidation.
The incidents at Stanford University raise concerns about the safety and well-being of Jewish students on college campuses. The rise in anti-Semitism across the country has created an environment where Jewish individuals are consistently targeted and threatened. It is essential for universities to address these issues and provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
The events that unfolded at the Stanford University forum on combating anti-Semitism serve as a stark reminder of the challenges Jewish students face on campus. The fact that protesters physically threatened Jewish students, harassed a rabbi, and made threatening remarks to university employees is deeply troubling.
Videos obtained by the Washington Free Beacon reveal the extent of the harassment and intimidation that Jewish students experienced. It is clear that the protesters crossed the line into harassment and threats, creating a hostile environment for those who attended the forum.
The university’s response to these incidents is also concerning. While they claim to take accusations of discriminatory behavior seriously, the videos and evidence suggest a lack of action on their part. The fact that the university was unable to positively identify the protesters and believed they were from outside the campus community raises questions about their ability to ensure the safety of their students.
Moreover, incidents of harassment and intimidation extend beyond the forum itself. Students have reported disruptions in classes, defaced buildings, and a campus environment filled with tension. It is distressing to see students calling on their peers to “take up arms” and vandalize pro-Israel signs. Academic settings have also become hotbeds for harassment, with posters promoting the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement being found in classrooms and students defying administrative orders to leave.
The teaching assistant incident, where support for the assassination of President Joe Biden was expressed, showcases the perils of biased grading and a lack of accountability within the university system. The fact that the teaching assistant was not removed from grading duties raises concerns about the fairness and objectivity of academic evaluations. It is crucial for universities to address these issues promptly and take appropriate action against individuals who engage in discriminatory behavior.
Legal experts argue that threats and intimidation are not protected by the First Amendment, even at private universities. It is important for Stanford University to recognize the severity of the incidents that occurred and conduct a thorough investigation. Any acts of harassment or threats should be met with disciplinary action and should not be tolerated within the university community.
Universities have a responsibility to create an environment that is safe and respectful for all students. They must take proactive measures to combat anti-Semitism and ensure that Jewish students feel supported and protected on campus. This includes implementing educational initiatives, promoting dialogue and understanding, and addressing incidents of harassment and intimidation swiftly.
The events at Stanford University serve as a call to action for universities across the country to prioritize the safety and well-being of their students. Anti-Semitism should have no place on college campuses, and it is incumbent upon institutions of higher education to address these issues decisively. By doing so, universities can create an inclusive and tolerant environment that fosters learning and growth for all students.
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