Speech and Safety on Campus

It's been a week since Columbia University students were targeted with a chemical attack while attending a peaceful pro-Palestine rally. This attack is a serious crime, possibly a hate crime. Although the "alleged perpetrators" have been banned from campus, no arrests have been made even though there were multiple witnesses.

I was disappointed to learn that administrators' first response to the toxic chemical attack--which resulted in the hospitalization of 10 participants--was to criticize the victims for holding an "unsanctioned" rally that violated university policies.

In November, Columbia suspended the organizations Jewish Voice for Peace and Students for Justice in Palestine for holding an "unsanctioned" event for a ceasefire.

Colleges and universities have a responsibility to protect all of their students and their constitutional right to protest and speak out. The world is watching.

Image description/credit: An illustration of a watermelon by queer feminist artist Caitlin Blunnie that has garnered over 13K likes on Instagram. Follow her at @liberaljane.