Last week, we witnessed yet another case of student activists interrupting a class or event. This type of action has become all too familiar on our campuses as students and faculty shout down speakers or cancel events. However, this time, something different happened: Columbia actually suspended a student for the protest. It has also identified two other students associated with Barnard, Union Theological Seminary, and Teachers College. Those referrals will raise a novel question for their respective schools.
In connection with Tuesday’s disruption of a History of Modern Israel class, Columbia University has identified and suspended a Columbia participant, pending a full investigation and disciplinary process. The investigation of the disruption, including the identification of additional participants, remains active. Disruptions to our classrooms and our academic mission and efforts to intimidate or harass our students are not acceptable, are an affront to every member of our University community, and will not be tolerated.
A suspension is a good start. That is more than schools like Northwestern have done in similar circumstances.
Northwestern students succeeded in cancelling a speech by former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Student Zachery Novicoff embodied the rising intolerance to free speech on campus. He is quoted as saying “There’s a limitation to free speech. That ends at overtly racist old white dudes.”
I criticized former Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro for his lack of support for free speech on campus. Schapiro denounced what he called “absolute” free speech positions and endorsed speech sanctions, including treating speech as a form of assault.
During his tenure, the university often seemed a mere pedestrian to mob action taken against dissenting voices. For example, we previously discussed a Sociology 201 class by Professor Beth Redbird that examined “inequality in American society with an emphasis on race, class and gender.” To that end, Redbird invited both an undocumented person and a spokesperson for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It is the type of balance that is now considered verboten on campuses.
Members of MEChA de Northwestern, Black Lives Matter NU, the Immigrant Justice Project, the Asian Pacific American Coalition, NU Queer Trans Intersex People of Color and Rainbow Alliance organized to stop other students from hearing from the ICE representative. However, they could not have succeeded without the help of Northwestern administrators (including Dean of Students Todd Adams). The protesters were screaming “F**k ICE” outside of the hall. Adams and the other administrators then said that the protesters screaming profanities would be allowed into the class if they promised not to disrupt the class. Really? They were screaming profanities and seeking to stop the class but would just sit nicely as the speaker answered questions?
Of course, that did not happen. As soon as the protesters were allowed into the classroom, they prevented the ICE representative from speaking. The ICE official eventually left and Redbird canceled the class to discuss the issue with the protesters that just prevented her students from hearing an opposing view.
The comments of the Northwestern students were predictable after being told by people like Schapiro that some offensive speech should be treated as a form of assault. SESP sophomore April Navarro rejected that faculty should be allowed to invite such speakers to their classrooms for a “good, nice conversation with ICE.” She insisted such speakers needed to be silenced because they “terrorize communities” and profit from detainee labor. Here is the face of the new generation of censors being shaped by speech-intolerant academics like Schapiro:
“We’re not interested in having those types of conversations that would be like, ‘Oh, let’s listen to their side of it’ because that’s making them passive rule-followers rather than active proponents of violence. We’re not engaging in those kinds of things; it legitimizes ICE’s violence, it makes Northwestern complicit in this. There’s an unequal power balance that happens when you deal with state apparatuses.”
It is the same sense of license that we saw at Stanford Law School where students shouted down a federal judge. No students (who were not masked) were punished and faculty even defended their conduct.
The Columbia incident raises a new and novel issue. The students at Barnard, Union Theological Seminary, and Teachers College are being referred to their own administrators. Even if the schools were inclined to punish such conduct, how does that question change when the conduct occurs at another school?
Many of us would generally oppose schools disciplining students for exercising their free speech rights off campus. Even being arrested for a protest outside of school is not considered a violation of most school codes. The question is whether this changes when the students conduct unlawful protests at other universities.
It is a tricky question. Universities have a unique relationship to each other as institutions of higher education. If schools treat these disruptions as “off the books” for student conduct, activists could simply agree to disrupt each other’s schools, creating a de facto license for such misconduct.
Schools could combat such circumvention by seeking trespass charges. While the Columbia student may claim the right to enter any classroom (which could be debatable), non-Columbia students cannot.
Alternatively, the schools could extend student codes to misconduct at other universities in a type of reciprosity policy. However, this would require, in my view, notice and an amending of student codes.
Take the Barnard student code. In its jurisdictional statement, the school takes a broad approach (and would notably include a charge of trespass at another school):
“The Code of Conduct applies to any program, activity or event that occurs on or off-campus. In cases where a student is involved in a non-Barnard College proceeding (such as law enforcement investigation) that student may also be subject to the Code of Conduct, which is an independent process.”
However, it refers to disruption or misconduct of the College or its operations. There is a reference to off-campus activities, but those are authorized Barnard events:
“Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings; other College or University activities, including its public service functions on or off campus; or of other authorized non-College activities when the conduct occurs on College premises, such that others are deprived of access to such scheduled activities.”
So far this isn’t working out too well for the activists. One was identified last week and suspended immediately pending a full investigation.
In connection with Tuesday’s disruption of a History of Modern Israel class, Columbia University has identified and suspended a Columbia participant, pending a full investigation and disciplinary process. The investigation of the disruption, including the identification of additional participants, remains active. Disruptions to our classrooms and our academic mission and efforts to intimidate or harass our students are not acceptable, are an affront to every member of our University community, and will not be tolerated.
I think that the school would need to amend the language before enforcing such a policy covering the disruption of other educational institutions.
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University and the author of “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.”
Someone should take daddy’s viewpoint. Daddy has spent tens of thousands of dollars so that his little boy can get a good education and his sniveling little brat throws it all away by making people he doesn’t agree with shut up. Daddy knew his boy wasn’t too smart but he hoped he could squeeze through so daddy wouldn’t have to support him for the rest of his life. It was all about him growing up and it still is. Sad daddy.
Maybe ole Trumpy is starting to rub off on some of these professors and administrators. These spineless wonders have no backbone.
Independent Bob,
The election was a mandate. The woke leftists lost. We no longer have to be afraid to say the truth out loud. Like, that is a guy competing in women’s sports. DEI is useless, serves no purpose other than low the bar, put people into positions they should not be in and DEI discriminates. It is okay to stand up to these children, tell them to grow up and act like adults.
Upstate, no argument here. The republicans just squeaked out a victory. Trump got a mandate.
In addition to suspension, the boy disrupters should be required to wear loafers, slacks and polo shirts on campus for a time and the girl disrupters should be required to wear saddle shoes, bobby sox and full poodle skirts with sweaters on campus for a time; it should be mandatory that the poodle decoration be embroidered with sequins, preferably pink. Furthermore, the delinquents must address faculty as “Sir” or “Ma’am”. No masks.
I am the Devil.
https://clydesalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/no-i-baked-them-for-you.jpeg?w=771
Jonathan: In back to back columns you continue your crusade against student protesters who you claim are censoring conservatives on campuses around the country. At Columbia you won’t be satisfied until students are expelled and charged with criminal offenses for their disruption of speeches by conservatives. By focusing only on campus protests you conveniently ignore the greater threats to “free speech” by DJT that are right under your nose.
Take, for example, the the case of Jim Acosta, CNN’s prime time anchor and WH correspondent. During DJT’s first term Acosta often sparred with DJT in press conferences–pointing out many of DJT’s false claims. DJT doesn’t like to be fact-checked so in one heated exchange in 2018 DJT called Acosta a “rude, terrible person who CNN never should have hired”. After one encounter DJT revoked Acosta’s press pass.
Apparently CNN got the memo that critical reporting of DJT during his second term will not be tolerated. CNN just demoted Acosta by offering him a midnight Easter time newscast–when most of the country is sleeping. Acosta rejected the offer and now is being forced out of CNN. In addition CNN last Thursday laid off 100 staffers in a reshuffling of its programming. Seems critical reporting of the second DJT regime is a thing of the past at CNN. Kind of remind us of what happened to the independent press under Putin.
So where are you, Jon, when we need you to stand up to DJT when he intimidates, threatens and suspends media outlets because he doesn’t like their coverage of him? If “free speech” means anything it means the right of reporters to ask tough Qs. Will you be critical of the way CCN has handled Jim Acosta? Probably not. We are on a slippery slope towards a dictatorship when a noted conservative and “free speech” absolutist remains silent in the face of threats to press freedom!
Dennis, Acosta’s ratings tanked. Bad ratings means less advertising dollars. You just haven’t noticed that the American people voted with their TV remotes. Earth to Dennis? Come in!
Thinkitthrough,
Dennis seems to think there is a “memo” somewhere out there of the second Trump admin is telling CNN what to do. Thing is, is there really a memo? Or is all this just in Dennis’s TDS afflicted mind? As we all know, CNN ratings have been poor for a long time and have gotten even worse as of late. The Food Network and Sponge Bob on Nick At Night get better ratings in the 8-11 time slot. CNN needs to dump the garbage and dead weight. That is what Acosta is. Just like at the WaPo, there is no sugar coating it. MSM is dying. They need to either do better journalism or start talking downsizing, mergers.
Even Hypothetically if there was an actual memo – do you think CNN gives a schiff ?
If they had such a memo – it would be on air tonight – because that would get ratings.
You’re not capable of discussing a subject without misdirection and whataboutism, are you?
Dennis,
I have only one question about you(and Gigi): are you acting as an individual or is your presence on this board representative of some Leftist organization?
I suppose it is possible you are part of the board itself, intended to provoke more comments…
Whatever the answer, your postions are uninteresting and are not thought provoking; you are more of an annoyance than an asset.
Accosta was fired because CNN;s ratings are in the tanks, Because Accosta is unpopular, because he is expensive, because viewers are not interested in his reporting.
Is Trump celebrating ? I doubt he is paying attention, But maybe, and if so deservedly.
Do you have evidence that Trump has Ever tried to get Accosta of any other journalist fired ?
BTW it is My understanding that ACcosta was no longer CNN’s prime time Anchor – that he had been moved to a less prestigious spot – because his ratings sucked, and that when he could not gather an audience there – he was fired.
Over a 1000 people have been fired at CNN – because ratings are down, because advertising is down, because they are losing money.
Accosta could have gutted and Fileted Trump and he would still be on the air – if he had high ratings.
Accosta could fawn over Trump and he would be fired – if he had low ratings.
Accosta’s press pass was revoked because of his behavior in the WH press room – interrupting and cutting off other journalists,
and this was on occasions that Trump was not present.
As to Accosta Fact Checking -= Accosta is about as Trusted as You are – that would be ZERO.
CNN did not get a memo From Trump – they got one from viewers and advertisers – and Jim Accosta missed the memo.
You can criticise Trump all you want in the media – IF YOU CAN GET Ratings.
I know this is hard for you to grasp but
“if you’re not paying for the product, you are the product?”
CNN’s product is NOT news. It is YOU – eyeballs for advertisers.
The management at CNN does not give a schiff what Accosta does to get eyeballs for advertisers.
But fail to do that – and as Accosta is learning your gone.
When do YOU learn something ?
If you violate the rights of others there must be consequences.
Students were free to protest outside the classroom,
They were allowed in after promising not to disrupt the class.
They lied. There must be consequences.
A short suspension for all protestors is quiet reasonable – certainly better than a disorderly conduct conviction.
For those who were violent – more serious consequences are necescary.
For repeat offenders – more serious consequences are necescary.
Regardless, no one is crusading to get students that disrupt classes criminally convicted.
What Turley and the rest of us want is for them to STOP.
Protest – Fine – campuses have plenty of spaces where you can protest.
Disrupt classes – NO.
If you disrupt classes – there must be consequences – not because we want you jailed,
But because we want you to STOP.
As parents tell their children – if you keep it up, the consequences only get worse.
Two recent presidents actually engaged in censorship by using Government power.
Obama and Biden.
Why not enforce the law of trespass? Universities undermiene the rule of law by acting as sanctuaries for lawbreakers. As a student, I would want to be protected by the same law that seeks to protect me on the streets.
Let’s talk a minute about motive.
If the masked persons are of Palestinian/Arabic heritage, we can at least assume motive, similar to gang warfare in large cities.
If the masked persons are of another minority designation, we can assume collective motive for disruption, similar to what JT said ^above, i.e., “Members of MEChA de Northwestern, Black Lives Matter NU, the Immigrant Justice Project, the Asian Pacific American Coalition, NU Queer Trans Intersex People of Color and Rainbow Alliance organized to stop other students from hearing…” — You know, the old “strength in numbers” argument in the name of “social justice” (but often just seeking attention). Ah, youth!
When the masked persons are white, I (personally) consider agitation NOT related to any subject matter, but rather agitation to divide and polarize in general, like Antifa-inspired, etc. and J6 infiltrates. Particularly with inter-school as well as intra-school involvement. Clearly, they aim to inspire the second group listed above.
In any event, these “masked” persons are not minors. Their faces should be broadly published, along with their names and other stats. They deserve no protection of anonymity like JT provides here.
That is why NY and NYC decided NOT to ban face masks, their agitators need them to remain viable in the job search after they are done playing while at school.
As usual Lin makes great points and what is most frustrating is that this type of activity can be stopped in one minute. Arrest the people trespassing or at least interrogate those harassing others, name them, punish them with at least a suspension and then let Mr Google handle the rest as they search for employment. Trust me, the problem will be resolved immediately.
” this type of activity can be stopped in one minute.”
Tolerance of scum leads to a mob of scum.
Harvard settles anti-Semitism lawsuits, says it will not tolerate certain anti-Israel activities
Harvard University has settled two lawsuits filed by Jewish plaintiffs who claimed that the Ivy League school had allowed anti-Semitism to go unchecked on its campus.
One of the lawsuits was filed by Students Against Antisemitism, and the other by the Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education and the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law.
The Students Against Antisemitism lawsuit, filed on Jan. 10, 2024, stated that Harvard “has become a bastion of rampant anti-Jewish hatred and harassment.”
Patrick McDonald ’26 | Michigan Correspondent ~ January 22, 2025
https://www.campusreform.org/article/harvard-settles-anti-semitism-lawsuits-says-will-not-tolerate-certain-anti-israel-activities-/27339
SJP activists sue CU Boulder for discipline after anti-Israel protest
Members of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) group recently filed a lawsuit against the university for having disciplined anti-Israel students after an allegedly disruptive protest.
Students Max Inman and Mari Rosenfeld were excluded from campus “on an interim basis” due to their actions during the demonstration, according to the lawsuit, which they filed on Jan. 13.
The protest in question occurred on Oct. 3, when SJP activists used a bullhorn in the middle of a career fair to demand divestment from companies that have connections to Israel. The lawsuit describes the events of the demonstration that led to the exclusion from campus.
Patrick McDonald ’26 | Michigan Correspondent ~ January 27, 2025
https://www.campusreform.org/article/sjp-activists-sue-cu-boulder-discipline-anti-israel-protest/27345
UCLA prof warns Trump may be ‘anti-Christ’ who puts the ‘last nail in the coffin of our democracy’
A law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) posted multiple messages on his social media account to criticize Donald Trump prior to his swearing-in, including one that says his presidency could end with “a fascist, racist, and authoritarian President putting the last nail in the coffin of our democracy.”
Michael Duke ’26 | New York Correspondent ~ January 28, 2025
[Link] campusreform.org/article/ucla-prof-warns-trump-may-anti-christ-puts-last-nail-coffin-democracy/27363
Trump doubles down on plan to return American education ‘back to the states’
President Trump has reinforced his intent to bring education “back to the states.”
In a pre-inaugural speech made at a rally in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Trump outlined various policies he hopes his second administration will achieve in the near future. On the topic of education, Trump highlighted Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon, whom he called “fantastic.”
Jack Roberts | Associate Editor ~ January 22, 2025
[Link} campusreform.org/article/trump-doubles-plan-return-american-education-back-states/27329
Trump orders a funding freeze as his administration reviews federal loans and grants
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is pausing federal grants and loans starting on Tuesday as President Donald Trump’s administration begins an across-the-board ideological review of its spending.
By: Chris Megerian ~ January 28, 2025
https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-pause-federal-grants-aid-f9948b9996c0ca971f0065fac85737ce
Ditto:
Trump Orders Freeze on Billions in Federal Financial Assistance
The president’s order may impact critical social safety net programs that are distributed through grants provided to states for administration.
By: Nikki McCann Ramirez ~ January 28, 2025
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-freeze-federal-financial-assistance-grants-loans-1235248494/
Leavitt clarifies that OMB memo targets wasteful government spending, not direct assistance
https://justthenews.com/government/white-house/leavitt-clarifies-omb-memo-targets-wasteful-government-spending-not-direct
“White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday clarified that an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo that went out Monday night is intended to target government programs that do not align with the new presidential administration, and will not impact direct assistance like Social Security and Medicare.”
* Islam is a toxic ideology. How about that? How about, the Jewish state is a toxic ideology?
Disrupting classes? I presume there are counter classes being taught?
I recuse myself because I’m biased. On the otherhand I support the Jewish state and Israel. I’m an American.
Dear Mr. Turley, I am thankful that someone somewhere is actually standing up to those who would interrupt other students time of learning. I hope this is the beginning of a trend to stop these agitated folks.
The obvious countermeasure to this style of disruptive militancy is to outlaw concealment of identity while violating school policy (in order to escape accountability). I believe UC Berkeley established that policy after black-masked thugs routinely terrorized their fellow students. So far, it’s worked well there. If you’re a college president, and can’t outsmart these militants, you’re not qualified for the job.
Between the entropy of our institutions of higher (general?) learning, bad parenting styles, and generational over-reliance on technology, we are probably headed for a world of hurt in the not too distant future no matter what we do. This is temper tantrum behavior, pure and simple, and it is unacceptable at any age, but particularly ridiculous for people 20-40 years old. We can’t pass the torch to them, the past four years has removed any doubt.
Let’s hope the tide is beginning to turn against the coddling, babying, and learned (or taught) helplessness, ALL of us have to live in the world we have been creating for decades. Modern college is basically a Ponzi scheme (financially and philosophically), top to bottom, and it’s sad, but it’s also a reflection if the larger landscape.
The adults only pay attention when then children cause them to be financially liable.
@Gordy
And that is phenomenally sad. One would think kids were competent and good people, first, not spoiled brats that can’t hear a difference of opinion without needing electrical cardioversion. This is absurd, it is absolutely clown-level immaturity, and that is just that. If you have kids, YOU raised these gremlins. Maybe take a look at yourself? Because that is likely literally the only way forward. Human kids are not dogs that are simply cute, and sweet, and need to be walked, and fed, and watered once in awhile that will then love you back.
Just as I predicted, JT continues to choose his daily themes as if we conservatives had lost the election, and are still the underdogs in the culture wars.
Meanwhile, major legal cases testing the practical limits of free speech go unanalyzed by JT:
TikTok, porn for children, foreign Islamist proselytizing to youth, cell phone bans in schools, stripping Morrell, Brennan of their security clearances for pushing out an election-tilting whopper ( or what JT might categorize as “unpopular speech” ). So far for JT, free responsibilities are a taboo topic. What? What responsibilities?
We conservatives are now in the governing majority. Let’s use our time and brains as if that were our opportunity. The difficult issues aren’t going to magically solve themselves. Nor will Presidential whim on a case-by-case basis lead to sound policy. We the people must guide the way solving these gnarly problems with free and open discourse.
Here’s a starter: When the Hunter laptop cover-up was launched by Biden, Blinken and Morrell, if we had to do it over, how rapidly could we have crushed their deceitful infowarfare to keep it from swaying voters? I mean legally? How could we have deterred them from even attempting a major dupe? Because we’ll have elections every 4 years, and if nothing changes, they will be decided by the most compelling liars and their media allies. This problem is not solved.
Hear hear. Unfortunately, no matter how many times Mr Turley appears on Fox, his alignment shines true on his blog. He will always defend the side of insanity.
Since you are breathlessly here commenting every day, may we assume your insanity?
I’m not an Anon that posts here everyday (even though I wish I had the tme to formulate ignored responses to idjits like Gigi and Dennis). I just scroll when my work isn’t too heavy. Mr Turley’s bias is well-evidenced on this site.
The Democrats have learned nothing over the past4 years and it will continue to cost them support among the majority of voters.
Democrats in Congress are still voting against preventing boys from playing in girls sports, changing in girls locker rooms and being placed in women’s prisons even though it is what is known as an 80-20 issue. 80% of voters support Republicans on this issue.
Democrats are still (some anyway, but fewer than just a few weeks ago) fighting against ICE actions deporting VIOLENT criminals here illegally. We end up with the AOCs, Pramilla Jayopal and others crying about the poor illegals being attacked while the rest of us see known gang members, known murderers and known rapists being arrested.
Democrats instantly sided with Colombia, the nation, when they wouldn’t allow us to return their illegal criminals to their home country with AOC worrying about the price of coffee (not a peep for 4 years about prices) and Ana Navarro fretting that we get flowers from Colombia and Valentine’s Day is approaching. As if we can’t get coffee and flowers from other places and as if coffee and flowers are so important that we will just allow rapists to remain on our streets so as to not offend a communist leader of a foreign country.
One last point. We have Elie Mystal on MSNBC screaming that the cost of eggs (suddenly a huge issue for the party that mocked worrying about food prices two months ago) is the fault of WHITE people. This was the argument of an actual contributor to a major cable news station. BTW, the current screaming about egg prices was after a report came out saying that they actually went in the last report…but the report covered the time frame of 12/15-1/15, a period before Trump was in office. As well as the fact that they are blaming a guy in office a week for not lowering the prices that they said weren’t high???
PS. Gee it is early and I guess I am old but I forgot to mention why I brought up the point above. The leftists will still support hamas (no capital) even though that train has left the station. Israel will now win the war, the Globe will be better off and the Democrats will be on another wrong side.
Though I understand and superficially agree with what you say, in truth Israel did not win the war. It won’t win unless Israel has an unconditional victory. Though I have faith in Trump, I am not happy with the truce and believe our negotiator made a bad deal. I believe Trump is not satisfied, but will work with it.
At present Sinwar’s brother is taking over and the ranks of terrorists is growing at a faster rate than people expect. The war has to break out in the near future or will break out in the distant future. Hamas’ own charter calls for the death of Jews and the destruction of Israel.
The Jews will not die as seen over 3,000 years. Jews are indigenous to the land of Israel and the only people that can lay claim to the land being indigenous, having a nation, winning the war, building on the land, international law, the British mandate, and acceptance into the community of nations. There are no Palestinian people except if one wishes to call the Jews Palestinians as they were called until the area was used for proxy wars.
Meyer, please reread my comment, I said Israel will NOW win the war meaning now that Trump is in office.
Hey, Ellie Mystal, I am not a racist. I’m a white guy and I only buy eggs with brown shells.
Eggs? Everybody knows Trump’s business sense is moronic. He certainly knows how to bankrupt whatever he leads. Now he wants oil companies to fall on the sword and make no money, flooding the market with oil to bring gas prices down below $2 a gallon. Sure, it defies basic math. But what’s hilarious is every Trumptard here will defend it. Whatever verbal diarrhea comes out of Trump’s mouth, they scurry off to find anything to prove he’s right.
“. . . oil companies to fall on the sword . . .”
Just yesterday, oil companies were evil “price gougers.”
Today, they’re to be pitied because somehow Trump is forcing them to “make no money.”
Is there anyone on the Left capable of holding a conviction longer than a gnat’s lifespan?
(“it defies basic math.” Let’s see: I can net $2/unit, with higher operating expenses, on 10 units. Or I can net $.50/unit, on lower operating expenses, on 100 units. You do the basic math.)
I’m really enjoying Sam!
Genius, I’m never Trumper conservative, unlike you, a populist contrarian pretending to be a conservative.
“I’m never Trumper conservative . . .”
My mistake.
Whenever I see a puny, vicious creature spewing anti-intellectual smears — I naturally think: Leftist.
In the future, I’ll think: Could be a never-Trumper.
“We have Elie Mystal on MSNBC screaming that the cost of eggs (suddenly a huge issue for the party that mocked worrying about food prices two months ago) is the fault of WHITE people. “
I want Elie to understand I am not a racist. I purchase and eat white and colored eggs. Elie supports rowdiness and breaking eggs when proper policies are implemented, which is the cause of the rise in prices.
I am 100% confident that underneath their Comic-Con costume, without the Keffiyeh, they are spineless punks.
Olly, I wonder if it is illegal to rip off their masks? I would think that it would be a battery and Alvin Bragg will arrest anyone doing so. This is why when there was a slight movement to ban masks in NY the issue went quietly away. The Dems storm troopers need masks.
They also wear masks because even though they act tough, they are just social studies majors playing a game for a few years before they go to work at some desk job or their parents company.
Rip off? Probably. Banning costumes on campus should be an acceptable policy.
They could be Poly Sci majors
Hullbobby, I just saw this article.
https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/new-york-lawmakers-want-make-masked-harassment-crime
Zachery Novicoff : “There’s a limitation to free speech. That ends at overtly racist old white dudes.”
I agree, old white dudes should stfu and simply take out the big stick and kick the asses of asshats like the novicoffs of the world. Clearly some kids aren’t learning and need a reset because talking softly isn’t providing that, apparently.
Anonymous7:50 AM-Thats seems quite simple, straight forward and uncomplicated. Usually quite effective. The only question is should they just be beaten or spanked. Myself I would suggest spanked. Being somewhat mouthy and snotty as a child, I have intimate knowledge of the concentrating effect of spanking.
Another option would be an old fashioned blanket party!
The Islamic practice of stoning miscreants may be preferable to spanking.
These young and uninformed students will not understand civility until they are faced with it’s proponents. They are merely victims of the Kruger- Dunning effect, or rather an extension thereof, which occurs when a person of low ability or knowledge tends to overestimate their abilities. I saw it at Kent State years ago and the remedy of just speaking with these students is and has always been insufficient. They don’t understand the consequences that must be imposed in order to experience the requirement of civility, a recognized behavior for objectivity. It is all to common for students to fail to recognize that when we know almost nothing about something we tend to have strong opinions about it. Such it is with the vociferous, probably sheltered and naive adolescent children who have convinced themselves that they can proceed without consequence. With civility comes discipline and discipline is an experienced based behavior before it is cognized. The experience of these young ones is that they can proceed without fear of reprisal and consequence. The existing criminal and civil rules are in effect to season and modify past and unbalanced views. Discipline the students and give the little puppies one bite. If they fail again then then offended institution should make itself unavailable to them in the future.
I am intrigued by the now common use of the collective noun, “community,” to describe those who have common actions rather than common characteristics. I am repulsed by university administrators who appeal to the (insert name of university) community as if it were a permanent part of society. Perhaps we should give credence to the community of murderers in all of its manifestations, individual, local, and national. Doesn’t membership in this community infer special civil rights status besides the ones that everyone has under the Constitution? What about the child-rapist community? Where are civil libertarian on this pressing issue? Ridiculous, you say? As a member of the very large community that did not disrupt any classes at Colombia, I beg to differ.
I happen to know Avi Shilon, the Israeli instructor whose class was disrupted. In addition to his very fine book on Menachem Begin–who wasn’t on all issues the extremist the US media depicted–Avi often publishes articles in Haaretz, the left-leaning Israeli newspaper. Since he had not been in the US in over a year and thought the encampments, etc. had ended, he was initially frightened when he saw the people dressed in Hamas clothing entering his classroom. He thought they were terrorists and had come to kill.
Not so fast. It’s likely that Columbia will void the suspension before it actually takes effect.
but democrats love illegal, terrorists and criminals.
Time to END all Federal Aid to colleges, including federal backing of student loans.