Pitzer College paints over pro-Palestinian artwork on ‘Free Wall,’ sparking free speech concerns

Pitzer College recently made headlines for painting over pro-Palestinian artwork and messages on the college’s “Free Wall” — an outdoor brick canvas designated for spontaneous student expression not subject to the college’s typical approval procedures. 

Members of the Claremont Students for Justice in Palestine, a self-described anti-Zionist organization that calls for “Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions on products, companies, and institutions that support the Israeli occupation and apartheid,” initially spray-painted the messages as part of its “Suspend Pitzer Haifa” campaign. The artwork included pro-Palestinian symbols and slogans such as “Suspend Pitzer Haifa,” “Free Palestine,” and “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free.”

Pitzer Vice President of Student Affairs Sandra Vasquez reportedly directed college facilities to paint over the artwork following concerns from a Pitzer student and a faculty member who interpreted the message “From the River to the Sea” as an anti-Semitic threat. However, after criticism from students and faculty, Vasquez reversed course and apologized for the college’s actions.

Pitzer’s decision to remove pro-Palestinian artwork while allowing other messages to remain suggests discrimination against certain political views.

“Office of Student Affairs leadership took immediate steps,” Vasquez said, “to share our acknowledgement of error, an explanation of how it occurred, and an apology with a concerned faculty leader, both in-person and in writing via email.”

While Pitzer is a private liberal arts college not bound by the First Amendment, its official policies support free speech. When private colleges fail to uphold these promises, they betray the trust of their students and faculty, undermine the quality of education, and undercut their own mission. 

Pitzer College

Claremont, CA

School Ranking

180 of 251

Speech Code

Yellow

Free Speech Climate

Overall score: 41

More Info

The decision to remove pro-Palestinian artwork also raises concerns about viewpoint discrimination. For decades, Pitzer’s Free Wall has been an open outlet for student expression. The school has no specific policies regulating expression on the Free Wall because it is meant to be a space where students can freely express their opinions without fear of censorship or retaliation. Pitzer’s decision to remove pro-Palestinian artwork while allowing other messages to remain suggests discrimination against certain political views.

The lack of communication between the administration and SJP before the removal of the artwork is also problematic. Administrators did not consult SJP before the artwork was painted over, suggesting a lack of transparency and accountability.

While Pitzer has offered to reimburse SJP for the cost of materials needed to reproduce the mural, its decision to remove the artwork in the first place may have already produced a chilling effect on speech. Going forward, the college must train administrators on its commitments to support expressive and academic freedom — before it violates them — to ensure that all students have the right to express their opinions without fear of censorship. 

FIRE defends the rights of students and faculty members — no matter their views — at public and private universities and colleges in the United States. If you are a student or a faculty member facing investigation or punishment for your speech, submit your case to FIRE today. If you’re a faculty member at a public college or university, call the Faculty Legal Defense Fund 24-hour hotline at 254-500-FLDF (3533). If you’re a college journalist facing censorship or a media law question, call the Student Press Freedom Initiative 24-hour hotline at 717-734-SPFI (7734).