Kingsborough Community College: President Cancels Hillel Event Due to Planned Protests

On May 13, 2024, the Hillel chapter at Kingsborough Community College planned to commemorate Israeli Memorial and Independence Day with a gathering involving candle lightings and a speech from a former Israeli soldier via Zoom. When some student groups publicly announced plans to protest the remembrance, Hillel requested increased security. Rather than provide it, KCC President Suri Duitch canceled the event “out of an abundance of caution to ensure safety and appropriate access to campus for our students, faculty, and staff.” FIRE wrote the CUNY Chancellor on June 7 to explain that KCC has a constitutional duty to protect students’ First Amendment rights to hold expressive events by ensuring they can proceed uninterrupted, by providing increased security, rather than conceding to a hecklers’ veto.