ACLU files suit against Pitt for SJP
Group asks the University of Pittsburgh to lift Students for Justice in Palestine suspension
The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania filed a federal lawsuit April 15 against the University of Pittsburgh on behalf of Students for Justice in Palestine. The lawsuit alleges the student group’s First Amendment rights were violated when it was suspended by the university in what the ACLU calls an “apparent retaliation for the club’s political speech.”
The lawsuit follows a Feb. 4 disciplinary hearing held after SJP hosted a “study-in” at the Hillman Library that university officials said may have violated Pitt event policies. Pitt indefinitely suspended the student group after it “improperly engaged in communication to members of the Conduct Hearing Board,” following the proceeding, according to a letter signed by Associate Director of Student Conduct Jamey Mentzer.
The ACLU’s lawsuit claims that communication was an open letter signed by more than 70 university-affiliated clubs and community organizations, protesting the university’s “harassment” of SJP.
SJP has been a registered student organization since at least 2009. It has hosted and participated in numerous anti-Israel and anti-Zionist events since Oct. 7, 2023.
The group’s activities have left some Jewish students on campus feeling unsafe and troubled.
One sophomore student, who spoke to the Chronicle last semester, recounted being at Hillman Library while the “study-in” occurred. After leaving his backpack unattended for a few minutes he returned to find a note in one of its pockets that read “Free Palestine Pitt Divest Now.”
“It was just like a shocking feeling to me, because, I mean, I always wear a Star of David and a hostage tag,” he said. “So, it feels like they had to deliberately see where I put down my stuff and then write that note and drop it in my bag. I felt like someone was watching me and I had no idea, and I’ve been so alert ever since.”
The Jewish student recounted another incident where SJP members were demonstrating in the library. He and a friend were observing the protest when someone from the group “came up to us and started taking down our descriptions, like in a notebook.”
“It’s really hard,” he said, “and it’s taken a toll on my mental health.”
Students in Support of Israel at Pitt President Matan Rieger said that he, too, has felt unsafe at times and altered his plans because of events SJP was hosting on campus. He called the ACLU filing “disheartening.”
“It’s turning it into an issue that it’s not,” he said. “It’ not regarding free speech as the lawsuit claims. It’s a shame that the ACLU is suing the university for following its own policies.”
For Laura Cherner, director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Community Relations Council, there is a clear distinction between free speech and hate speech.
“While student organizations have the right to express their views, that freedom does not extend to promoting hostility, intimidation or discrimination. The university stated that SJP was in serious violation of its policies, and it has a responsibility to maintain an environment that is safe and welcoming for all students and one where every student has access to their education without disruption,” she said.
The ACLU is asking the court to order the university to lift SJP’s suspension and cease further disciplinary proceedings against the group.
The university had no comment on the lawsuit before press time. PJC
David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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