Palestine Legal and the New McCarthyism

[sactowndog]

Posted as a series of tweets starting here:

Today,  the heads of UCLA, Rutgers and Northwestern testified in yet another McCarthyite congressional hearing over the Gaza Solidarity encampments and the speech activity of students and faculty advocating for Palestinian rights on campus.  These McCarthyist witch-hunts in the form of congressional hearings have justified state and institutional repression targeting students and faculty for protesting an ongoing genocide that has killed over 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza.  Together with a tsunami of other attacks on Palestine advocacy groups, these hearings are one piece of large-scale witch-hunts and fishing expeditions by right-wing electeds and Zionist groups to crack down on a justice movement.  Since the last higher ed hearing on April 17, we have seen universities summon state, local, and campus police to crack down on students resulting in the arrests of over 3,000 students, professors and activists on more than 80 campuses.  
 

Chairwoman Foxx, members of Congress, and all 3 uni leaders failed to address incidents of extreme anti-Palestinian racism or violence on campuses – instead suggesting that the encampments created safety issues for Jewish students.  At UCLA, the administration has repeatedly failed to protect students from Zionist mob violence targeting the encampment.  On May 1st, students were attacked by vigilante groups, some with military training. The mob used tear gas, bear mace, and pepper spray on students and launched fireworks at the encampment, sending at least 25 students to the hospital.  At the hearing, UCLA Chancellor Block refused to acknowledge the anti-Palestinian violence, instead using passive voice to suggest that people protesting Israel’s genocide were responsible for the injuries inflicted on them by violent pro-Israel mobs.

Rutgers President Holloway stated that the university should not fund advocacy critical of Israel - a move that would violate the First Amendment. The Constitution does not allow public colleges to censor or defund certain viewpoints, even if powerful actors disagree.  While Northwestern President Schill rightly pushed back when asked to comment on investigations against specific profs and students – unlike Columbia President Minouche Shafik.  However, Schill grossly mischaracterized students protesting against Israel’s genocide of Palestinians, calling them “student advocates for the current conflict in Gaza."  When asked by Rep. Jayapal about Northwestern’s commitment to addressing various forms of hate, including against Palestinian students, Schill avoided mentioning the word Palestinian or referencing Palestinian students, instead stating that it would investigate all complaints.

Palestine Legal filed a Title VI complaint against Northwestern Law last month for permitting an environment of anti-Palestinian racism that has denied Palestinian students or those perceived to be Palestinian equal access to campus life.  Palestine Legal warns against this entrenched anti-Palestinian racism and rising repression and urges all to challenge government attacks on the right to freedom of speech and academic freedom at institutions of higher learning.

[tailingpermit]

Did they expel those shitbags yet?

[tailingpermit]

Never would’ve been an issue had those idiots protested peacefully.  

[renoskier]

On 5/23/2024 at 3:35 PM, sactowndog said:

Posted as a series of tweets starting here:

Today,  the heads of UCLA, Rutgers and Northwestern testified in yet another McCarthyite congressional hearing over the Gaza Solidarity encampments and the speech activity of students and faculty advocating for Palestinian rights on campus.  These McCarthyist witch-hunts in the form of congressional hearings have justified state and institutional repression targeting students and faculty for protesting an ongoing genocide that has killed over 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza.  Together with a tsunami of other attacks on Palestine advocacy groups, these hearings are one piece of large-scale witch-hunts and fishing expeditions by right-wing electeds and Zionist groups to crack down on a justice movement.  Since the last higher ed hearing on April 17, we have seen universities summon state, local, and campus police to crack down on students resulting in the arrests of over 3,000 students, professors and activists on more than 80 campuses.  
 

Chairwoman Foxx, members of Congress, and all 3 uni leaders failed to address incidents of extreme anti-Palestinian racism or violence on campuses – instead suggesting that the encampments created safety issues for Jewish students.  At UCLA, the administration has repeatedly failed to protect students from Zionist mob violence targeting the encampment.  On May 1st, students were attacked by vigilante groups, some with military training. The mob used tear gas, bear mace, and pepper spray on students and launched fireworks at the encampment, sending at least 25 students to the hospital.  At the hearing, UCLA Chancellor Block refused to acknowledge the anti-Palestinian violence, instead using passive voice to suggest that people protesting Israel’s genocide were responsible for the injuries inflicted on them by violent pro-Israel mobs.

Rutgers President Holloway stated that the university should not fund advocacy critical of Israel - a move that would violate the First Amendment. The Constitution does not allow public colleges to censor or defund certain viewpoints, even if powerful actors disagree.  While Northwestern President Schill rightly pushed back when asked to comment on investigations against specific profs and students – unlike Columbia President Minouche Shafik.  However, Schill grossly mischaracterized students protesting against Israel’s genocide of Palestinians, calling them “student advocates for the current conflict in Gaza."  When asked by Rep. Jayapal about Northwestern’s commitment to addressing various forms of hate, including against Palestinian students, Schill avoided mentioning the word Palestinian or referencing Palestinian students, instead stating that it would investigate all complaints.

Palestine Legal filed a Title VI complaint against Northwestern Law last month for permitting an environment of anti-Palestinian racism that has denied Palestinian students or those perceived to be Palestinian equal access to campus life.  Palestine Legal warns against this entrenched anti-Palestinian racism and rising repression and urges all to challenge government attacks on the right to freedom of speech and academic freedom at institutions of higher learning.

pffffttt...so less than half a percent of the Palestinians population has been killed and it's a "genocide"

let me know when it gets to 10% and I'll join your protest

[tailingpermit]

On 5/23/2024 at 4:25 PM, renoskier said:

pffffttt...so less than half a percent of the Palestinians population has been killed and it's a "genocide"

let me know when it gets to 10% and I'll join your protest

 

[SharkTanked]

Not even close to MyCarthyism. Let us know when it moves from of repression of academia into repression of the arts and then pretty much all of society, Sure it could get there, but it isn't even close in scope yet.

[mysfit]

It's already a disquieting trend. By the time it hits your milestones its momentum will carry it significantly further. Better to quash this crap early. It at the very least has been bullying and it stinks of the same crap McCarthy got off with 

[mugtang]

On 5/23/2024 at 12:35 PM, sactowndog said:

Posted as a series of tweets starting here:

Today,  the heads of UCLA, Rutgers and Northwestern testified in yet another McCarthyite congressional hearing over the Gaza Solidarity encampments and the speech activity of students and faculty advocating for Palestinian rights on campus.  These McCarthyist witch-hunts in the form of congressional hearings have justified state and institutional repression targeting students and faculty for protesting an ongoing genocide that has killed over 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza.  Together with a tsunami of other attacks on Palestine advocacy groups, these hearings are one piece of large-scale witch-hunts and fishing expeditions by right-wing electeds and Zionist groups to crack down on a justice movement.  Since the last higher ed hearing on April 17, we have seen universities summon state, local, and campus police to crack down on students resulting in the arrests of over 3,000 students, professors and activists on more than 80 campuses.  
 

Chairwoman Foxx, members of Congress, and all 3 uni leaders failed to address incidents of extreme anti-Palestinian racism or violence on campuses – instead suggesting that the encampments created safety issues for Jewish students.  At UCLA, the administration has repeatedly failed to protect students from Zionist mob violence targeting the encampment.  On May 1st, students were attacked by vigilante groups, some with military training. The mob used tear gas, bear mace, and pepper spray on students and launched fireworks at the encampment, sending at least 25 students to the hospital.  At the hearing, UCLA Chancellor Block refused to acknowledge the anti-Palestinian violence, instead using passive voice to suggest that people protesting Israel’s genocide were responsible for the injuries inflicted on them by violent pro-Israel mobs.

Rutgers President Holloway stated that the university should not fund advocacy critical of Israel - a move that would violate the First Amendment. The Constitution does not allow public colleges to censor or defund certain viewpoints, even if powerful actors disagree.  While Northwestern President Schill rightly pushed back when asked to comment on investigations against specific profs and students – unlike Columbia President Minouche Shafik.  However, Schill grossly mischaracterized students protesting against Israel’s genocide of Palestinians, calling them “student advocates for the current conflict in Gaza."  When asked by Rep. Jayapal about Northwestern’s commitment to addressing various forms of hate, including against Palestinian students, Schill avoided mentioning the word Palestinian or referencing Palestinian students, instead stating that it would investigate all complaints.

Palestine Legal filed a Title VI complaint against Northwestern Law last month for permitting an environment of anti-Palestinian racism that has denied Palestinian students or those perceived to be Palestinian equal access to campus life.  Palestine Legal warns against this entrenched anti-Palestinian racism and rising repression and urges all to challenge government attacks on the right to freedom of speech and academic freedom at institutions of higher learning.

All credibility is lost when referring to what is happening in Israel and Palestine as a genocide. It’s a war.  Hamas hides behind civilians. Civilians die because Hamas hides behind them.  The only entity responsible for the “genocide” is Hamas.  And Hamas is the one releasing death figures. You don’t think they’re inflating them?  Nobody refers to the Russian war in Ukraine as a genocide but a higher percentage of the population has been killed in Ukraine then Gaza. 

[Spaztecs]

On 5/23/2024 at 2:47 PM, SharkTanked said:

Not even close to MyCarthyism. Let us know when it moves from of repression of academia into repression of the arts and then pretty much all of society, Sure it could get there, but it isn't even close in scope yet.

This is the start of the coming Trumpists Autocracy. Tip of the coming shaft. 

You think, talk and act like we tell you or else.

These people will legislate which side we're supposed to be on 

[sactowndog]

On 5/23/2024 at 1:25 PM, renoskier said:

pffffttt...so less than half a percent of the Palestinians population has been killed and it's a "genocide"

let me know when it gets to 10% and I'll join your protest

For the record I haven’t claimed it is genocide but I do believe it is ethnic cleansing.  The post was more targeted at trying to silence a minority in the U.S.  

These are the kind of people with whom you are aligning …

 

 

[sactowndog]

On 5/23/2024 at 9:34 PM, mugtang said:

All credibility is lost when referring to what is happening in Israel and Palestine as a genocide. It’s a war.  Hamas hides behind civilians. Civilians die because Hamas hides behind them.  The only entity responsible for the “genocide” is Hamas.  And Hamas is the one releasing death figures. You don’t think they’re inflating them?  Nobody refers to the Russian war in Ukraine as a genocide but a higher percentage of the population has been killed in Ukraine then Gaza. 

You have facts to back up that statement. 

[mugtang]

On 5/23/2024 at 10:23 PM, sactowndog said:

You have facts to back up that statement. 

I misread the article I got the info on Ukrainian deaths as the number included injuries and Russian deaths.  But, regardless, there’s not a genocide in Gaza.  The statistics coming from the Gaza health ministry are highly suspect.  And everybody cites them as if they are gospel.  But, even if they’re accurate, still not a genocide.  It’s unfortunate so many civilians have died in Gaza.  The blame for those deaths lie at the feet of Hamas and not Israel though. 

[sactowndog]

On 5/23/2024 at 11:46 PM, mugtang said:

I misread the article I got the info on Ukrainian deaths as the number included injuries and Russian deaths.  But, regardless, there’s not a genocide in Gaza.  The statistics coming from the Gaza health ministry are highly suspect.  And everybody cites them as if they are gospel.  But, even if they’re accurate, still not a genocide.  It’s unfortunate so many civilians have died in Gaza.  The blame for those deaths lie at the feet of Hamas and not Israel though. 

So I haven’t said it was Genocide nor was that the main point of the Palestine Legal post.  
 

But curious why you feel Israel deserves a free pass? 
 

and if it’s not ethnic cleansing what is the point of razing to the ground hospitals, libraries, universities long after fighters have been cleared out? 

[SharkTanked]

On 5/23/2024 at 9:45 PM, Spaztecs said:

This is the start of the coming Trumpists Autocracy. Tip of the coming shaft. 

You think, talk and act like we tell you or else.

These people will legislate which side we're supposed to be on 

Maybe. My point still stands that the "silencing" of students and faculty at college campuses is not close to McCarthyism. 

[AztecAlien]

On 5/24/2024 at 1:00 AM, sactowndog said:

So I haven’t said it was Genocide nor was that the main point of the Palestine Legal post.  
 

But curious why you feel Israel deserves a free pass? 
 

and if it’s not ethnic cleansing what is the point of razing to the ground hospitals, libraries, universities long after fighters have been cleared out? 

You haven't said it was genocide? Which thread are you talking about? This thread, or the many others that you did? Or how about all the Hamas propaganda you posted that was debunked multiple times? Do you suffer from memory loss and do not remember posting all that as well? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sactowndog]

On 5/24/2024 at 7:55 AM, AztecAlien said:

You haven't said it was genocide? Which thread are you talking about? This thread, or the many others that you did? Or how about all the Hamas propaganda you posted that was debunked multiple times? Do you suffer from memory loss and do not remember posting all that as well? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apparently you can’t read.  I have consistently said I felt it was ethnic cleansing not genocide.  

[AztecAlien]

On 5/24/2024 at 11:00 AM, sactowndog said:

Apparently you can’t read.  I have consistently said I felt it was ethnic cleansing not genocide.  

So you're backtracking in this thread. And evidently, all those posts in multiple threads that you called it genocide and spewed Hamas propaganda were just a mirage. 

 

 

 

 

[RSF]

On 5/24/2024 at 12:05 PM, AztecAlien said:

Evidently, all those posts in multiple threads that you called it genocide and spewed Hamas propaganda were just a mirage.  

 

 

 

 

On 5/24/2024 at 12:00 PM, sactowndog said:

Apparently you can’t read.  I have consistently said I felt it was ethnic cleansing not genocide.  

You're both right...and wrong.

 

It was one thread.

 

But it's there.

 

https://www.mwcboard.com/index.php?/search/&q=genocide&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=7&updated_after=any&sortby=newest&page=2

 

[Spaztecs]

On 5/24/2024 at 1:00 AM, sactowndog said:

So I haven’t said it was Genocide nor was that the main point of the Palestine Legal post.  
 

But curious why you feel Israel deserves a free pass? 
 

and if it’s not ethnic cleansing what is the point of razing to the ground hospitals, libraries, universities long after fighters have been cleared out? 

Saving the civilian contractors the cost of razing it themselves. ? Many of these buildings are severely damaged. 

Then again, the end result is the Gaza Strip is officially a 3rd world hell hole. er, I meant sacrifice zone 

[AztecAlien]

One thread you say, RSF?