Safety Concerns Lead to Cancellation of American University SJP Event: What This Means for Students

American University in Washington recently canceled a planned event by the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) called “Debunking Zionist Lies Workshop.” This decision was made just hours before the event was supposed to start. The university expressed concerns about the safety of the community, citing the event’s promotional materials, which featured a masked figure with a slingshot and a call to “Smash Zionism.” They believed this imagery could escalate tensions.

In a statement, American University explained that the event had not gone through the required safety assessment. They emphasized their commitment to ensuring events do not pose risks to students, attendees, or guests. The university plans to work closely with student organizations in the future to make sure safety evaluations are completed appropriately.

The university also pointed out that the social media post promoting the event did not align with its values and could create division within the campus community. The post had not been submitted for university review, and it is currently under assessment.

This event cancellation comes on the heels of disciplinary actions against SJP at American University. The group has been on disciplinary probation since April 2024, following an indoor protest that the university had prohibited.

Across the country, many universities are tightening their responses to incidents perceived as antisemitic, particularly those involving SJP and similar groups. This shift in policy has intensified since previous administrations implemented measures to combat campus antisemitism.

For instance, Barnard College recently expelled two seniors for disrupting a class on the History of Modern Israel. This action highlights a growing trend of strict responses to anti-Israel activities on campuses nationwide.

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