Yesterday, we discussed the videotape of three NYU students tearing down pictures of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in the recent terrorist attack. These pictures are being placed on campuses around the country to remind people of these hostages that remain held by Hamas in Gaza as well as those killed by Hamas. Now, University of Michigan Professor Erik Gordon is accused of the same destructive act, caught on camera taking down the photos in a university building. Update: Professor Gordon wrote to me after this blog was posted and has added important details to what occurred. He has objected that the accusations are completely without foundation.
A site called StopAntisemitism posted the image with the following message:
“Disgusting – University of Michigan Professor Erik Gordon tears down posters of the kidnapped Israelis, some of them US citizens, being held in Gaza,” the group wrote on X. “Note the despicable smirk on his face.”
There was no apparent response from Gordon or the University of Michigan. It is not clear why he tore down the pictures. Gordon was not one of the signatories on the recent letter signed by hundreds of faculty and students objecting to the failure of President Santa Ono to mention the plight of Palestinians in her response to the massacre or the “the violence of Israel’s seventy-five year occupation.”
Gordon posts that he is a contributor to National Public Radio Morning Edition’s Marketplace and Marketplace Morning Report. He has also reportedly served on the faculty of the University of Michigan Law School.
His bio lists various teaching areas including “corporate governance and activism.”
Update: After this column was posted, Professor Gordon wrote to me and offered this response (which he has also posted):
“What is being circulated is completely inaccurate. I removed the flyers from one wall, where they are not permitted, and I put the flyers back up on another wall in the same building on campus. Let me be utterly clear: I abhor antisemitism. And, by the way, I am Jewish.”
As the post noted, it was not clear why Professor Gordon took down the pictures and he was not a signatory to the earlier letter protesting the University’s support for Israel.
This would certainly offer an explanation. These are times of great tensions, particularly given the earlier tearing down of these pictures on other campuses. However, I am relieved to hear this account from Professor Gordon and wanted to post it right away. I have no reason to doubt his word on his motivations or his repositioning of the pictures.
One thing in Gordon’s defense…
Look at what he is doing.
He’s not destroying the pics, he’s holding them carefully. (They are not damaged.)
Anyone at the University could in fact find out and confirm 2 things…
1) That wall doesn’t allow signs to be hung.
2) That the flyers are up on the wall that Gordon claimed he placed them.
-G
At least Turley has the grace to allow Gordon to tell his side of the story. That is more than we can say for much of today’s media.
Gordon presents a plausible story. But plausible isn’t necessarily the same as true. A incomplete story that leaves out important facts is itself a falsehood. Is there more to this story that we should know?
Fact is, Gordon’s statement raises far more questions than it answers.
How does this incident affect the victims in the Jewish community? Given the sheer inhumanity of Hamas’ barbaric terrorist murders, how much did his actions add to the community’s already considerable grief?
Is the sanctity of the university’s wall really more important than the community’s grief? Couldn’t he have just waited while the community mourned?
Did he bypass proper administrative channels by acting unilaterally and hastily, while the community and the Israeli nation are still reeling from the heinous attack?
And where are the before and after pictures of the posters? Where are the pictures of Gordon just as cheerfully putting the posters back up? Does it even matter that he is Jewish? We all know that members of a minority group can inflict grievous harm on other members of their group. And what about his statement? It is clearly centered on himself, not on the needs of the larger community.
Yes, Gordon’s statement raises far more questions than it answers.
Education is where cancer begins.
It’s the Howard Zinn propaganda bureau.
Change it.
Well, since I’ve solved this case in favor of Professor Gordon, let’s sidestep to the war crimes issue.
We can’t have you all calmed down, low energy is not good.
Here we have the applicable laws and the crimes of israel:
https://www.yanisvaroufakis.eu/2023/10/15/list-of-war-crimes-and-crimes-qualifying-as-genocide-committed-by-israel-in-gaza-since-7th-october-2023/
I will list a few, I counted about 16 total.
Article 6(c): Deliberately inflicting on a group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part
Imposition of a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, totally depriving Gazans of electricity, food and fuel, and tightening even more the existing 16-year-old blockade thereof.
Article 8(2)(b)(xxv): Intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare by depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival
“Imposing a total closure of the Strip amounts to a collective punishment of an unprecedented scale […]. All crossings between Gaza and Israel have been closed since Friday, 6 October. Since then, no people or goods have left or entered Gaza via Israel […].”[20]
Article 8(2)(a)(iv): Extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly
From 7 to 12 October 2023, “Israeli raids have destroyed thousands of housing units, and private and public properties”[10]
U go girl
🥱😴
The anti-semites in here who don’t believe the jew, Professor Gordon, should note in the “busted” pic there is no tearing down, no crumpling, no throwing it on the floor and stomping on it.
He has a grouping of the small flyers in his left hand between his index and middle finger.
With his right hand he is gently and carefully removing the flyer even while distracted by the picture taker.
A little bit too much nazi fervor for the anti-semites to notice things, it appears.
Naughty naughty !
Well, once again, once it was known, it’s a jew, the jew did it and has been found not guilty, innocent, and falsely accused by those who wish to wipe him from the face of the earth.
BWHAHAAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Bibi, are you watching, that is how it is done.
We are witnessing a crisis of anger and hate that requires immediate action by the University of Michigan Board of Trustees.
Gordon has demonstrated that he is spectacularly unsuited to serve as a university professor. It is incumbent on the University of Michigan to terminate Gordon’s employment for Cause. There is a strong argument to be made that Gordon should also be subject to criminal prosecution under our anti-hate laws.
If the responsible administrators fail to carry out their responsibility, the responsible administrators must in turn be terminated for Cause.
SO YOU’RE AN ANTI-SEMITE, that is obvious now.
@Epstein Killer,
Gordon contacted Turley and gave a reasonable explanation.
It’s easily verifiable by anyone at the University.
-G
At least Turley has the grace to allow Gordon to tell his side of the story. That is more than we can say for much of today’s media.
Gordon presents a plausible story. But plausible isn’t necessarily the same as true. A incomplete story that leaves out important facts is itself a falsehood. Is there more to this story that we should know?
Fact is, Gordon’s statement raises far more questions than it answers.
How does this incident affect the victims in the Jewish community? Given the sheer inhumanity of Hamas’ barbaric terrorist murders, how much did his actions add to the community’s already considerable grief? Did he bypass proper administrative channels by acting unilaterally and hastily, while the community is still reeling from the heinous attack?
Is the sanctity of the university’s wall rally that important? Couldn’t he have just waited while the community mourned?
And where are the before and after pictures of the posters? Where are the pictures of Gordon just as cheerfully putting the posters back up? Does it even matter that he is Jewish? We all know that members of a minority group can inflict grievous harm on other members of their group. And what about this statement? It is clearly centered on himself, not on the needs of the larger community.
Yes, Gordon’s statement raises far more questions than it answers.
He is obviously entitled to a hearing before he is terminated. The burdens and standards established to to protect members of vulnerable members of the community in Title IX hearings would seem to work well here, no?
And there’s even more univeristy-professor-gone-crazy news today. A UC-Davis professor threatened “Zionist journalists and their kids” with death. She says:
One group of people we have easy access to in the US is all these Zionist journalists who spread propaganda & misinformation. They have houses with addresses, kids in school. They can fear their bosses, but they should fear us more.
Then she follows that up with images of a cleaver, and ax, and drops of blood.
UC-Davis did not condemn this at all. When asked for comment they made the following generic response: We reject all forms of violence and discrimination, as they are antithetical to the values of our university. We strive to foster a climate of equity and justice built on mutual understanding and respect for all members of the community.
Pardon me while I go throw up.
https://californiaglobe.com/fl/uc-davis-professor-threatens-journalists-and-their-kids-with-cleaver-ax/
LOL. A black lesbian “anarchist” (shocker), hamas loves those kinds of chicks.
People like that professor tend to say things like, “they don’t like me because I’m (a) _______ .” When the reality is that people don’t like them because their aholes.
Haha – true.
Professor Turley,
Given your stance on the NYT today, do you consider “College Fix” and this post to be disinformation?
He “moved” the flyers given school policy rather than removed them. You noted that he was “accused” of it, which is technically true. But, you stated, falsely, that the NYT stated that Israel was responsible for the hospital attack. They stated, in fact, that one group accused them of attacking the hospital.
The similarities are uncanny. Yet, you attack NYT rather than the College Fix? Why?
“By the way, I’m Jewish.” Has the race, creed, and color that is, rightfully, protected from persecution been elevated into a protection from prosecution? Is that what law professors think and teach? Silly me, I assumed that particular belief was held only by dumb journalists and criminals of color.
It’s an ad hominem, referring to something about himself as somehow validating what he says. Speech should be judged by its content, not by an irrelevant characteristic of the speaker.
With that said, there is one valid use of an ad hominem: to point out someone is saying things uncharacteristic of who they are, and ask for an explanation. For example, suppose a Communist says: “I think the government should stay out of the market and let the price signal system govern the allocation of goods to the highest and best uses.” A valid reply might be: “But you’re a Communist, why are you saying that?”
@Old School,
Look, I’m going to say that anyone who espouses the antisemitic BS should be tossed.
But I’m also someone who will give someone the chance to defend their actions.
Note that he didn’t apologize, but explained what really happened.
His comment about being Jewish is to also explain that there was no malice in his actions.
(Moving the flyers to the right wall.)
The question remains… did he do it?
-G
Of all people a member of the law faculty should know better.
It is not clear why he tore down the pictures.
Seriously?
No, not seriously. Instead of allowing the estrogen nightmare surging through your frame take control of you, breathe, EEEE EEEE OOO OOO AHHH AHHH , no you aren’t giving birth, you are making a fool of yourself.
In the pic provided above he has a nice somewhat neat undamaged stack of the pics apparently in between his index and middle finger.
He is gently removing one more of the holy of holies with his right hand, there is no tearing down.
Estrogen is now receding from your system, at least temporarily. You’re welcome.
CASE CLOSED.
Observation.
Logic.
Maintaining perspective.
Being lawyerly and getting to the facts and the truth. (GAG)
I think tearing down the posters are wrong.
It does highlight this persons stance on the situation.
To that I say, good.
When someone tells you, or by an act displays their leftist fascism, believe them.
The anti-semitic attacks are getting bad in here. The explanation has been given and because you hate all jews you don’t believe him.
How much nazi WW2 memorabilia is ensconced about your domicile ?
Pretty sure Santa Ono is a man. Unless you know something??
This is a guy that works for NPR, a media outfit that we pay for) and is responsible for teaching our young people. When are we going to say enough is enough and treat the leftists the way that they treat conservatives? If a straight white professor tore down pamphlets that a trans group or an abortion rights group put up they would be in serious trouble, but the leftists can get away with anything and finally the population at large is seeing it.
I for one thank Professor Turley for highlighting the egregious fascism of the left.
The despicable acts of these anti-semitic, American hating Marxists should always be brought out in the open. Remaining quiet or turning the other way is cowardice. The vile actions of these people should always be called out because the media will not. And if the media reports on these situations “groupthink” kicks in and the reporting is not truthful. There are still many who haven’t a clue as to what’s going on in academia. I hope Mr. Turley keeps bringing truth to the open!
the irony of your post (which I agree with) is you are Anonymous..
“If you only care about innocent lives . . .”
That’s one of those feel-good statements that get the unthinking to nod in approval.
In reality: When you morally equate those “innocent” lives, you are siding with the invaders and butchers. And you are setting up those who are actually innocent for future atrocities.
Given that you’ve said Gaza should be razed, it’s no surprise that you cannot bring yourself to acknowledge that there are innocent Gazans, even though nearly half are children.
Anonymous, have you uttered one word about the attack? If not, why not? Innocent people always die in war, should we have not bombed Germany? Should the Soviets have not attacked Berlin? Should we have let Japan continue the rape of the fare east or should we have bombed them and in effect killed innocent children?
Idiots like Anonymous get to preen about innocent lives as they beg one group to take the punch and just sit still afterwards. If you don’t attack Hamas now there will be more INNOCENT lives lost and little fools like you will continue to just shout “take it Israel, don’t fight back”.
“Anonymous, have you uttered one word about the attack? If not, why not?”
Yes, I’ve had long exchanges with Oldmanfromkansas about it. I’ve condemned the Hamas terrorists multiple times; their war crimes initiating this are despicable. I also condemn Israel’s war crimes in response.
The Geneva Conventions were agreed to after WW2. Both Israel and the US are signatories, along with many, many other countries. War crimes aren’t acceptable, regardless of who is carrying them out. There exist innocent civilians on both sides of this conflict, and I care about them on both sides. Do you? If not, then you don’t actually care about innocent people, only about “your” side of the conflict.
I haven’t said not to attack Hamas. Of course, go after Hamas, they’re terrorists. But do it without committing war crimes as part of the response.
A.N.D.
Of course, go after Hamas, they’re terrorists. But do it without committing war crimes as part of the response.
Israel is going to attack Hamas. Palestinian civilians will die. Hamas is responsible for their deaths.
It is a very simple equation.
HullBobby,
This is the thing about so-called intellectuals, they think war is a like a children’s game, where they can call time out.
It is war. People will die, even the innocent civilians.
The problem in this case is Hamas uses innocent civilians to get killed to then use as political points on the international stage.
Would a diplomatic option leading to a cease fire and peace agreement be the best solution?
Yes.
But it is not an easy road to go down when you have one side dedicated to the death of ending the existence of Israel. The “From river to sea,” mentality.
There is no good solution (never mind there are some calling for “There is only one solution,” with reference to Hitler’s Final Solution) in any of this.
This is a war that has been going on for thousands of years with both sides committing atrocities, to many to count. I am not concerned about who did what and when, but what is going on now and where it may lead.
Here is a good read,
Hamas’s Strategy of Human Sacrifice
https://www.thefp.com/p/hamass-strategy-of-human-sacrifice
While working overseas, I lived in a military dictatorship, in a country that subsequently became mired in civil war. War is not an intellectual game for me.
Upstate, that was a good summary. People (falsely) accusing Israel of war crimes should read it. They are partly to blame, as they’re blaming Israel is the very reason Hamas does it.
Innocent Palestinians deserve sympathy. But when Americans, Europeans, and others misdirect their outrage at Israel, failing to grasp Hamas’s responsibility, they are encouraging the very cruelty they intend to condemn.
Recall that Germans defended the extermination of Jews, as a form of making a “progressive” Arian, perfect human race. However, once WWII was over, the Nazi sympathizers ran far away from their anti-Semitic leaders. So it’s not surprising that so many Democrats, the party of black slavery, Jim Crow laws, and anti-Civil Rights Act, are today’s Nazi Anti-semites, rebranded as “progressives”. Behold the DNC silent on anti-Semites within their own party and universities from coast to coast, both admins and students. I am saddened for Jews in America today. History repeating itself seems to be what Democrats do best: throw out philosophical reason and intellectual pursuits so as to adopt hard core ideologies.
“. . . innocent Gazans . . .”
Do you also shed crocodile tears for the “innocent” Georgians (including countless children) who were killed and injured during Sherman’s destruction of Atlanta? (A rhetorical question)
The fact is that those crocodile tears have a single, evil motivation: To morally and practically disarm the good (Israel).
I have no desire to disarm Israel. You lie about me because you find it too hard to engage truthfully.
Boy, that’s a toughy. MOVE
If you only care about innocent lives lost on your ‘own’ side, community, country, and not the ‘other’ side, then you don’t actually care about innocent lives.
American citizen sentenced to 7 months in prison for meme.
There ARE other stories, Professor.
He was sentenced for conspiring to interfere with other people’s voting rights, 18 USC 241. Understand the actual charge.
Here is Douglass Mackey’s tweet from the 2016 election that just got him 7 months in jail vs another tweet from a liberal activist during the same time that didn’t get her 7 months in jail. You are willfully ignoring the fact it was a meme and a joke. A fgellow citizen has been thrown in jail and you support this.
https://twitter.com/greg_price11/status/1714700380150304784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1714700380150304784%7Ctwgr%5E3e5f70c91a887a428f93910a3020c7a665377cfc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthefederalist.com%2F2023%2F10%2F18%2Fviral-meme-maker-who-joked-about-hillary-clinton-sentenced-to-7-months-in-prison-for-election-interference%2F
It wasn’t a joke. It was an effort to get Democrats to throw away their votes. He was presumed innocent, tried, and convicted of a crime.
LOL. Jokes on you, the democrats did throw away their votes. They got wars, loss of abortion protections, and increased homelessness because of who they voted for.
Oh, and if you are OK with charging that guy for that tweet, I hope you rot in hell with the DOJ people that pushed it and hillary, seriously, F you with a telephone pole.
I know, this is one more small poking of the bear…a couple more and you’ll get a violent reaction, a la hamas, and then stupid middle class white women will vote your way.
I don’t text. Do you know what happens if someone sends a text to a fake five digit number? Does the sender get any feedback that it was done in error?
It was wildly absurd parody. Honestly, it is impossible to protect stupid people. Who believes you can cast a vote by text? It is absurd to the n’th degree.
Its no wonder Biden and Fetterman got elected, the Stupid people have no clue.
Respectfully disagree. It is important to see the behavior of these extreme people to better understand their poor influence on others – especially our children. On a case by case basis, we can then voice our concerns to the appropriate people.
From a public relations standpoint, it’s about time to start referring to Hamas as the “Palestinian Defense Force”, instead of keeping Hamas separate from the Palestinian people… See, the IDF kills innocent Palestinians, who have nothing to do with Hamas… Yeah, well the fact is that they do… the military-aged young men doing the hacking and attacking didn’t just materialize from another dimension… they also haven’t come from some other country… they’re Palestinians themselves… taking a page from Mao about ‘becoming fish swimming in the sea’ (paraphrasing)… so, time to eschew the term ‘Hamas’ and call the organization what it really is: the PDF…
I do not understand why Turley wastes so much time highlighting the actions of leftists who attempt to prevent other people from expressing viewpoints with which they disagree. Might as well start showcasing examples of birds flying south or squirrels harvesting acorns. For leftists, engaging in violent acts to prevent the expression of disagreeable speech is who they are. They are by nature authoritarians. Only they can be the arbiters of truth. Once you undersant that, everything else falls into place.
I agree in a way, but it is important to emphasize that it isn’t just in NYC or LA—this is happening everywhere normal people send their kids to college.
So your thought is he should quietly accept their actions? Not point out their despicable behavior for others to see?
No. He should point out that suppressing speech is part of the left’s DNA
I agree Dennis that there seems to be a rash of college & university faculty members lately punishing anyone with whom they disagree. But I do think these articles illustrate just how far our “institutions of higher learning” have fallen in the United States and have essentially turned into communist indoctrination camps led by these Marxist professors. I’m sure that George Soros and the World Economic Forum are smiling……
I do not understand why Turley wastes so much time highlighting the actions of leftists who attempt to prevent other people from expressing viewpoints with which they disagree.
Maybe because freedom must be defended in every generation – a/k/a the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.