Rutgers Suspends Students For Justice In Palestine For A Second Time

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — For the second time, Rutgers University put its chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) on suspension.

This time, the suspension will last for the entire upcoming academic year; it will not be lifted until next summer, July 2025.

Students for Justice in Palestine cannot hold meetings, protests or marches on campus, said the university. Rutgers did this because the Palestinian solidarity group violated the terms of its probation; Rutgers put them on a one-year probation in January, after their first suspension.

"The student organization was notified of this decision on July 25 and is suspended until at least July 4, 2025," said Rutgers spokeswoman Megan Florance. "During this period, SJP is not recognized by the university and cannot reserve rooms, participate in campus activities, join intramural sports or serve on councils. The student organization violated the terms of their probationary status and other university policies by disrupting final exams and university operations and failing to comply with university directives."

In this brand-new statement Tuesday morning, Aug. 27, Students for Justice in Palestine said they "refuse" to follow the suspension.

"We recognize this as an act of repression and anti-Palestinian racism, and therefore refuse to adhere to the guidelines of the suspension," said the student group here. "Let it be clear: there will not be any sense of normalcy on campus for as long as Rutgers continues relations with Israel ... This is the university's second strike, and we are committed to ensuring matters on campus do not return to 'business as usual.'"

"Rutgers, this is strike two," the students warned.

Rutgers suspended its Students for Justice in Palestine chapter for the first time in mid-December 2023.

That was because SJP protesters held protest marches inside academic buildings, and disrupted students taking classes, exams and eating meals, said the university at the time. Rutgers said SJP was also threatening student safety and possibly behind vandalism at the Rutgers business school in Piscataway.

Several other American colleges, including Columbia University, similarly banned or suspended SJP on their campuses, citing the same concerns.

Rutgers lifted their suspension in January.

SJP were the main organizers of the tent encampment in the heart of Rutgers campus this past April/May, which lasted for four days until Rutgers ordered the protesters to disperse. SJP also led marches through the streets of New Brunswick in April during the most intense period of the Israel-Hamas war.

SJP continues to make two key demands that Rutgers has not agreed to: Divest from any investment in the nation of Israel, and terminate Rutgers’ partnership with Tel Aviv University, which plans to open up classrooms in the new New Jersey Innovation and Technology Hub. The HUB will be located right across the street from the NJ Transit/Amtrak train station in New Brunswick.

Rutgers sets new campus protest rules

Also, last Tuesday Rutgers unveiled this sweeping set of new rules that say where and how students can protest on campus. Rutgers has never before unveiled such a strict set of campus protest rules. The rules include:

• Students who want to hold a protest on school grounds must apply for what's called a "Free Expression Permit" from Rutgers, and they must apply at least three days before the protest will be held.
• Protest marches that will take place on city streets must obtain permits from the cities.
• Student organizers must show the Free Expression Permit when asked.
• Protests can only take place in certain designated areas of campus. No longer will protests be allowed to be held in the heart of Rutgers main campus. Instead, they have been relegated to the Records athletic field.
• Tent camps or overnight protest camps will not be permitted.
• If there is a controversial speaker on the Rutgers campus, students will be allowed to protest, but they will only be allowed to do so in a designated area established by Rutgers Police, and they will not be permitted to disrupt the scheduled speaker or event.

Classes begin at Rutgers next Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Middle East tension on the Rutgers campus:

Tel Aviv University The Newest Tenant At Rutgers' Tech Hub (Nov. 2021)

Rutgers Suspends Students For Justice In Palestine Group (Dec. 12, 2023)

Students For Justice In Palestine Allowed Back On Rutgers Campus (Jan. 17, 2024)

Gaza Solidarity Camp Set Up On Rutgers Main Campus (April 29, 2024)

Photos From 2nd Day Of Gaza Solidarity Camp On Rutgers Campus (April 30, 2024)

Pro-Palestine Group Wants Rutgers To Cancel Tel Aviv University Deal (April 2023)