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Cornell. Anti-Israel protesters at Cornell University vandalized Day Hall earlier this week, spray-painting “Israel bombs, Cornell pays,” smashing glass doors and accusing the Ithaca-based Ivy of being a “fascist, classist, imperial machine.” The administration swiftly
condemned the vandalism, stating that “Acts of violence, extended occupation of buildings, or destruction of property (including graffiti), will not be tolerated and will be subject to immediate public safety response,” noting there would be a thorough investigation and those responsible would be subject to suspension and criminal charges. Later that day, about 150 protesters
from The Coalition for Mutual Liberation marched from Ho Plaza into Klarman Hall, chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Police arrived roughly 20 minutes after protesters filled the hall, and protest leaders reportedly urged the crowd to disperse.
DEEPER: This comes just weeks after a former Cornell student was sentenced to 21 months in prison for making violent threats against the Jewish community at Cornell last October.
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| (Credit: Ming DeMers | Photography Editor, The Cornell Daily Sun) |
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Michigan. During the Festifall student club fair held in the heart of the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan yesterday, 50 anti-Israel protesters held
a “die in.” Since they were blocking pedestrian traffic, UM officials repeatedly told them to move. When they did not, the police moved in, arresting four individuals — none of them were students, and only one of them was affiliated with the University in any way (as a temporary employee).
Also this week, the student government at Michigan is refusing
to disperse its $1.3 million budget to fund student activities until the University divests from Israel-related companies, draining funds for initiatives ranging from ballroom dancing to Ultimate frisbee, Ramadan meals, and countless other programs funded by student fees due each semester. Campaigning under the slogan “No Business As Usual,” the Shut It Down party won 22 of the 45 seats in the University’s student assembly during elections last spring, when only 20 percent of the student body voted. The University has maintained that divestment is not an option, and it has pledged to continue funding student activities despite the student government’s tactics.
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South Carolina. Thousands are rightfully expressing concern regarding an upcoming “roast” of Vice President Kamala Harris scheduled to take place at the University of South Carolina, due to fears the event will promote white supremacy
— a safe bet given the guest list will include alt-right, misogynistic, racist, xenophobic, transphobic apologist Milo Yiannopoulos and Gavin McInnes, founder of the Proud Boys, the right-wing extremist group. With the “roast” scheduled to take place at the USC’s Russell House on September 18, University leaders have condemned the “hate and bigotry” associated with the event and condemned the “vile and juvenile rhetoric” used to promote it.
DEEPER. Read ADL’s backgrounder on the Proud Boys and on Yiannopoulos.
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Sonoma State. On the first day of classes at Sonoma State University, anti-Israel protesters staged fake Israeli military checkpoints, complete with uniforms, metal detectors and cardboard guns on prominent display for passing students. This comes less than two weeks after
the California State University System adopted new policies that banned overnight encampments, required administration approval for signs and chalking, and prohibited students from wearing masks “with the intent of intimidating and harassing any person or group, or for the purpose of evading or escaping discovery, recognition, or identification.” ADL is in touch with the Administration at Sonoma State; stay tuned.
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Connecticut. The University of Connecticut recently released updated policies for outdoor activities, highlighting a list
of prohibited activities that include “camping or encampments” and “blocking access to public spaces or hindering anyone’s ability to enter or exit an area.” The policy notes that failure to comply could result in university sanctions or “law enforcement action, including criminal penalties.” Good to see this development; go UCONN!
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Minnesota. Since last spring, ADL and others have led an effort to urge the University of Minnesota not to divest from Israel. On Tuesday, in a special meeting of the University’s Board of Regents, they declined to divest
from certain investments related to Israel. Regent Janie Mayeron said: “we believe today’s action honors our fiduciary duty and the long-term needs of the University.” In response, one student organizer told press after the meeting: “(We'll) continue to do a lot of the same disruptive actions that we had over the past year.”
👉 TAKE ACTION. Thank the Board of Regents for rejecting this divisive call to divest from Israel.
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Divestment Dangers. A new analysis
from ADL and JLens unpacks the demands and consequences if universities answer to the extremists and divest from companies and industries connected to Israel. The report explores the economic risks of divestment (“More than 100 companies from the S&P 500 conduct business in Israel, including many of the world's largest and most successful companies”), as well as legal implications (“Investment Committees have a fiduciary duty, which is a legal responsibility, to make decisions in the best financial interests of the university”). Beyond that, the report highlights the clear connection between calls for divestment and broader efforts to delegitimize Israel, citing
the “false and offensive implication that Israel is on par with the deeply oppressive Apartheid-era South Africa,” as well as the ways anti-Israel protests have left Jewish students feeling “marginalized and unsafe.”
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