Kevin Kiley Questions ACLU's David Cole on Campus Antisemitism and McCarthyism Comparison

Campus Antisemitism Concerns

• 💡 A professor at Haverford College, Professor Mendelson, posted that the student body is led by Hamas apologists and tainted by antisemitism, stating he would not send his Jewish child there.
• ⚠️ The college administration declined to confirm if this professor was investigated, leading to accusations of investigating those who highlight antisemitism rather than addressing it.
• 🚫 Posters for Jewish events at Haverford were reported missing, with the administration initially attributing it to benign mechanisms like the wind, which is questioned as only affecting specific posters.
• 💥 An event designed to counter antisemitism was disrupted by individuals who, according to reports, only had to write a letter of apology.
• 🍩 A proposed boycott of donuts from a Jewish bakery by a group of antisemites was reportedly ignored, with donuts being available at commencement.
• 🏛️ Students who physically took over Founders Hall were reportedly met with restorative, not punitive, actions.
• 🏀 An antisemitism awareness basketball game was allegedly canceled because organizers were told it might be too antagonistic to pro-Palestinian students.

ACLU Director's Defense and Comparisons

• 🗣️ David Cole, former National Legal Director for the ACLU, defended his comparison of the House committee's antisemitism investigation to the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and McCarthyism.
• ⚖️ Cole argued that the committee is making broad accusations without discerning the difference between protected speech (like criticism of Israel or Zionism) and antisemitism.
• 🚫 He believes that conflating these issues and dredging up affiliations, similar to the McCarthy era, does not solve the problem of antisemitism and may even increase the risk of violence.
• 📉 Cole criticized the Department of Education for cutting the Office of Civil Rights in half, arguing this hinders the ability to protect vulnerable students, including Jewish students, from harassment and discrimination.

Assurances and Commitments

• ✅ The college administration stated they promote inclusion and belonging for all applicants and would assure prospective Jewish students they would feel safe and welcome.
• 🤝 University police partner with local city police to ensure speakers and events are conducted properly and safely, balancing free speech with time, place, and manner rules.
• 🌟 Letters from students and organizations at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo were submitted, speaking positively about President Armstrong's leadership and the school's atmosphere for Jewish students.