Students protested Thursday afternoon near the Texas Tech University administration building to show support for a faculty member who was suspended earlier this week after alleging technical leaders made anti-Semitic social media posts. carried out activities.
The Texas Tech University chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine hosted a rally outside the president's office, where dozens of students showed their support for Jairo Funes-Flores, assistant professor in the School of Education.
The Texas Tribune reported on Monday that the university found that Funes-Flores had made “hateful, anti-Semitic and unacceptable” comments on social media regarding the Israel-Hamas war. He was suspended from school.
Texas Tech University President Lawrence Schovanek and TTU System Chancellor Ted Mitchell released a joint statement saying:
We take seriously the application of the First Amendment to public universities. However, we are also committed to providing a safe learning and working environment free of harassment, including anti-Semitic harassment, and we are committed to providing a safe learning and working environment free of harassment, including anti-Semitic harassment, and we do not cross the line of harassment that impedes an individual's ability to participate in their education. We do not tolerate any restrictive behavior. Texas Tech University activities.
A formal investigation by the university is underway. But Funes-Flores said the university jumped to his conclusions when it suspended him and said he was not talking about Jews in his remarks.
“I think there is a confusion between criticizing a nation-state and criticizing the people of that nation-state,” he said. “You often see this in criticism of other nation-states, Russia, the Russian government, China, other nation-states. It does not mean the people in any way,” Funes-Flores said.
He acknowledged that he knew his comments would face backlash given Texas' political climate and his commitment to education, but he has not apologized for his comments.
“I have already expressed to some (administration officials) that whatever happens, whatever decisions they make, I am ready to accept the consequences,” Funes-Flores said. Ta.
His position and plight have drawn the attention of faculty, staff and students across the country, with more than 2,000 people sending a signed letter in support of him as of Thursday night.
Ahmad Altabaa, a senior at Tech University and a member of SJP, asked the students in attendance to join their respective universities in support of the legislative measure filed before the Student Senate of the TTU Student Government Association. Encouraged students to contact their student senate.
“Some SGA senators have written a letter calling on the administration to immediately reverse the suspension of Dr. Jairo Funes-Flores, reinstate him at the university, and publicly apologize for his derogatory language,” Altabaa said. I intend to submit it.”
The Avalanche Journal has reached out to Texas Tech University for comment on the protests. However, a spokesperson directed the community to a joint statement from Shobanek and Mitchell.
