Brandeis University: University Shuts Down Protest Against De-Recognition of Students for Justice in Palestine, Arrests Protesters

On November 10, 2023, campus and city police shut down a student rally at Brandeis University protesting derecognition of Brandeis’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. Police arrested seven protesters, including three students for charges ranging from disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly to assault and battery on a police officer. Brandeis’s president said police ordered the crowd to disperse because “the demonstration devolved into the invocation of hate speech.” On December 6, FIRE wrote Brandeis reminding it of its obligation to protect the right of students to peacefully protest and urging it to drop any charges against the student protesters, cease any investigatory or disciplinary actions, and reinstate Brandeis’s SJP chapter. Brandeis failed to respond to our letter.