Brown University suspends the SJP chapter on campus

The students later presented their proposalrecommending that Brown divest ten companies, including those that student activists say provide products or services for the Israeli military occupation of Gaza and the West Bank and companies that contribute to the maintenance or expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories.

“Both on his own and as a member of the Ivy League, Brown occupies a unique position in the educational, cultural and political landscape of our nation and the world,” the Brown Divest Coalition wrote in the proposal. “As such, we bear a unique responsibility to contribute to global civil society pressure aimed at promoting just coexistence among all peoples currently living in historic Palestine. Reaching such a resolution will be a long, difficult road, and the purpose of divestments is to reduce harm to the civilian population, not to propose a solution.”

The Corporation of Brown University, the school’s highest governing body and primary financial regulators, voted against the divestment proposal on October 8, noting in an email on October 9 that the university’s exposure to ten companies “is so small that it cannot be directly responsible for social harm.” Some student protesters say the vote “took place in secret. ”

“Brown is often portrayed in the media as the school that ‘really talked to protesters,’” BDC wrote in a statement. “Don’t be fooled: this is a smokescreen for their unyielding campaign of bureaucratic violence over the past year.”

The October 18 protest, organized by Brown SJP, was the first major action since the Corporation voted no to divestment. Student demonstrators marched down College Hill, through the Jewelry District and around Brown Medical School, where members of the Corporation were meeting.

Some students held banners reading “Free Palestine” and “F$&@! YOU CPAX” while others banged like drums on buckets. Students shouted at the Corporation members as they walked out of the medical school, with their middle fingers and fists in the air. Protesters chanted “Shame!” Students then formed a blockade along the crosswalk to prevent the Brown shuttle from transporting members of the Corporation. The demonstrators dispersed after police officers warned of arrest.

University spokesman Brian Clark said the school has received messages alleging “threatening, harassing, harassing and racially charged actions against Brown administrators, staffers and members of the board of directors.”

Given the “seriousness” of these allegations, the university suspended the student body on October 24, although the students themselves have not been suspended. Brown SJP must cease all meetings, events, social media posts, disbursement of funds or use of the organization’s name. The group is also not permitted to organize or attend formal or informal events as an organization.

Student protesters have rallied behind calls for divestment over the past year following a wave of pro-Palestinian activism on university campuses nationwide following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and Israel’s subsequent bombardment of Gaza. Sixty-one Brown students were arrested for trespassing in 2023 while staging sit-ins at the University Building demanding divestment, and 19 students went on an eight-day hunger strike in February during a demonstration that took place during a Corporation meeting.

“While Brown policy makes clear that protest is a necessary and acceptable means of expression on campus, protest must not disrupt the normal functions of the University, involve intimidation or harassment of community members, or infringe on the rights of others ” said Clark. announcing the group’s suspension. “We are committed to upholding freedom of expression while respecting the dignity and humanity of others.”

The research is conducted by an external researcher. If the conclusion confirms policy violations, they will be addressed in a student conduct proceeding.

Student activists are furious at the university for blocking the only organization dedicated exclusively to Palestinians in what they call a “retaliatory, politically motivated ploy to discredit protesters, fracture the student movement and denigrate their complicity in the extermination of the Palestinian people. said BDC.

“But we know that the government’s attempts to suppress the student movement will not work,” BDC said in a statement.

This is a developing story and will be updated. This report uses material from previous Globe articles.