Brandeis Center Commends Loyola University Chicago for Temporary Suspension of Students for Justice in Palestine Activities or Events
September 24, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC -- This afternoon, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (LDB) commended Loyola University Chicago for presenting the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) student organization with a letter indicating that SJP is temporarily prevented from hosting any on-campus activities or events until their leadership meets with Loyola University Chicago representatives and the group complies with stated policies and procedures that apply to all student organizations.
In a letter to Loyola University Chicago President Michael J. Garazini, the Brandeis Center expressed concern about SJP's on-campus activities in the wake of SJP's protest against Jewish students at a Hillel table promoting Birthright Israel.
LDB President Kenneth L. Marcus commented, "By all reports, this appears to have been a serious incident, and we are glad that Loyola University Chicago is taking it seriously. More work must still be done, and we hope that Loyola University Chicago will follow-up and take appropriate further action. Sadly, we have seen a pattern of incidents in which SJP has violated the rights of other students and the rules of other universities. We are glad that Loyola University Chicago is upholding its standards and values."
On September 9, members of SJP at Loyola University-Chicago allegedly verbally assaulted a Hillel student group tabling for Birthright Israel. The SJP members shouted hostile questions at the Hillel members such as, "How does it feel to be an occupier?" and "How does it feel to be guilty of ethnic cleansing?" The SJP students then blocked the table in protest holding signs saying, "My family is from the ethnically cleansed village of [blank] BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO RETURN." An SJP executive board member posted a video of the protest to her Instagram with the accompanying post: "What happens when you try to table for a racist manifest destiny trip to Israel at my school."
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Gregory H. Stanton Professor Stanton has received degrees from Oberlin College, Harvard Divinity School, Yale Law School and a masters and doctorate in cultural anthropology from the University of Chicago. He was a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (2001-2002).
