A pro-Palestinian student group said Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor and Republican presidential candidate, was seeking to undermine free speech rights by moving to “deactivate” its chapters in the state university system, over its response to Hamas attacks on Israel and Israel’s strikes on Gaza in response.
“Governor DeSantis continues to disrespect American values such as freedom of speech to extend his political power,” the University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) told the Tampa Bay Times.
“To bend the law in this manner shows the utmost disrespect not only to any pro-Palestinian organisation, but also to anyone who truly cares for political freedom and freedom of speech.”
The statement came in response to publication of a letter in which Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University System of Florida, said two SJP chapters must be “deactivated”.
Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, killing more than 1,400, including more than 30 US citizens, and taking more than 200 hostages. Israeli strikes have reportedly killed more than 6,000. Amid worsening conditions in Gaza, a ground invasion is expected.
“Hamas is responsible for this attack … [and] military leaders of Hamas have called for the mobilisation of Palestinians in support,” Rodrigues said in his letter.
“In response, and leading up to a ‘Day of Resistance’, the National Students for Justice in Palestine … released a ‘toolkit’ which refers to [the Hamas attacks] as ‘the resistance’ and unequivocally states: ‘Palestinian students in exile are PART of this movement, not in solidarity with this movement.’”
Rodrigues said it was a felony under Florida law to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation, and said the SJP had “identified” itself “as part of … a terrorist-led attack”.
He added: “Based on the National SJP’s support of terrorism, in consultation with Governor DeSantis, the student chapters must be deactivated.”
The chapters could reorganise themselves to conform to Florida law, he said.
As described by the Tampa Bay Times, the University of Florida SJP chapter said “the state’s action could set a precedent to shut down any organisation that doesn’t align with DeSantis’s ideals”.
DeSantis has long run second to Donald Trump in Republican polling but Trump has steadily increased his lead. DeSantis has stirred other freedom of speech controversies, including championing laws restricting teaching regarding LGBTQ+ issues in Florida schools.
A representative of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression told the Tampa Bay Times that in demanding the deactivation of SJP groups, DeSantis and Rodrigues “risk killing free speech” otherwise protected by the first amendment of the US constitution.
“It’s important for people to know that when it comes to hot button issues, the right to free speech becomes more important,” Zach Greenberg said. “It protects your rights and your adversaries’ rights.”