SJP calls for better handling of hate speech following Horowitz posters

Students for Justice in Palestine called for UCLA administrators to create a comprehensive plan that anticipates hate-speech posters, among other demands, in response to another wave of posters that link SJP to terrorist groups.

David Horowitz, a conservative writer based in Los Angeles, posted flyers Friday accusing SJP and the Muslim Student Association of supporting the murder of Israelis. Jerry Kang, vice chancellor of equity, diversity and inclusion, sent a campus-wide email in response, condemning Horowitz’s actions as psychological harassment and intimidation.

Rahim Kuwra, a member of SJP and doctoral candidate in sociology, said the Friday posters are the fourth iteration of Horowitz’s attack on SJP members. On Tuesday SJP released a list of five administrative demands that aim to mitigate similar attacks on students.

In the statement, SJP said it wants administrators to implement a more thorough plan of removing posters that contain hate speech. SJP members acknowledged UCPD and UCLA Facilities Management have established procedures to remove the posters, but maintain the procedures could be improved, according to the email.

SJP acknowledged Kang’s description of the organization as an official student organization in good standing, but would like to see a more explicit statement of support that describes SJP is a nonviolent human rights group.

SJP also called for the administration to train faculty members and Counseling and Psychological Services counselors to properly address and recognize Islamophobic and anti-Arab statements on campus. They added staff members made insensitive comments to students while addressing previous instances.

Members of SJP also requested Chancellor Gene Block reach out to and hear the concerns of Palestinian students. They added they would like to see concrete administrative changes that prevent future attacks.