Four students at the University of Rochester are facing up to seven years in jail for putting up posters around campus accusing a small number of faculty members of enabling the genocide in Gaza.
Last month four students at the University of Rochester were charged with second-degree criminal mischief for their connection to “Wanted” posters that were put up around campus.
The posters accused a small number of faculty members of enabling genocide and supporting the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza. Not all the faculty members identified are Jewish, but the university immediately sent out emails tagging the action as antisemitic. Pro-Israel campus groups condemned the posters, including the school’s Hillel chapter which claimed they “disproportionately singled out Jewish faculty and staff and used language that spreads harmful, antisemitic ideas about Jewish people.”
The charges do not mention the content of the posters. The students were arrested for alleged damage to campus walls, but if convicted they could face up to seven years in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) is circulating a petition calling for the charges to be dropped.
“Repression of those fighting for Palestinian liberation is only increasing, and students are among the most vulnerable members of our movement,” it reads. “That’s why it’s critical that we act to protect these students, and refuse a precedent that mischaracterizes our movement, represses free speech, and shuts down demands for divestment from Israeli genocide.”
Mondoweiss U.S. correspondent Michael Arria spoke with JVP University of Rochester member Faye Stephenson and University of Rochester Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) member Carlos Portilla about the charges, the university response, and the climate on campus. (more...)
University of Rochester students face 7 years in jail for displaying ‘Wanted’ posters on campus
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