BUZZ
Group says suspension is proof UW is ‘enrolled in the institutionalization of Zionism’
The University of Wisconsin has suspended its chapter of the student group Students for Justice in Palestine following an investigation into its disruption of an April speaking event.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a former UW grad student, came to campus to discuss the “rapid change in U.S. foreign policy” under President Trump and was interrupted numerous times by SJP and affiliated activists.
One activist, flanked by two others with banners from the far-left group Code Pink, stood up and told Thomas-Greenfield “If you care about people, tens of thousands of children in Gaza have been massacred, Linda!”
The protesters focused on several U.N. resolutions vetoed by the United States regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
UW School of Public Affairs Director Susan Yackee warned the protesters they would be taken out by police if they did not leave of their own accord; the protesters opted for the former.
According to The Daily Cardinal, the SJP was suspended for “unauthorized distribution of flyers,” “obstruction of entrances,” use of “amplified sound” (bullhorn), and “disorderly conduct.”
The SJP also violated its probation, imposed last October for rules violations associated with a pro-Palestinian encampment.
@codepinkalertWATCH: Palestinian & allied activists from CODEPINK Madison disrupted former UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at a speaking event at the University of Wisconsin last month. At the UN Security Council, she repeatedly vetoed multiple resolutions for a ceasefire in Gaza. In defiance of global consensus, she voted to prolong Israel’s genocide. She is a war criminal. The only place she should be publicly speaking is a court in the Hague. Police arrested the young woman activist as she was leaving the event. They also arrested the other disruptors. All were eventually released.♬ original sound – CODEPINK
In an Instagram statement, the UW SJP claimed the committee that heard the allegations against the group did not vote for suspension, opting instead for a year’s worth of “disciplinary probation.”
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However, the SJP claimed UW Dean of Students Kathy Kruse “unilaterally” overruled the committee, imposing the suspension.
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SJP views this suspension as just one of many, as multiple universities across the nation have opened disciplinary proceedings against students and student organizations who have protested Israel’s war in Palestine.
“This conforms with the pattern of other university administrations who have been suspending pro-Palestine student organizations, withholding degrees and barring students from campus and graduation events simply for speaking up about Palestine,” the post read.
If the proposed suspension of SJP is upheld, the organization will be prohibited from conducting any activity such as events or meetings apart from one executive board meeting per week until January 2026, after which the suspension will end and a probation period will follow.
Still, SJP rejects the violations and will appeal their suspension to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs.
The SJP further claimed its suspension was “yet another smoking gun” for the university, “revealing how [it’s] enrolled in the institutionalization of Zionism and is more than willing to capitulate to U.S. imperialism.”
Last year, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield was prevented from speaking at the University of Vermont and Xavier University following objections from pro-Palestinian student activists.
MORE: Far-left U. Wisconsin student groups suspended after antisemitic chalkings
IMAGE CAPTION & CREDIT: “Suspended” stamp; CarmenKarin/Shutterstock.com
