A Vermont judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by pro-Palestinian protesters who said the University of Vermont violated their First Amendment rights.
The school suspended the University's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine following an encampment that students established at the Andrew Harris Commons, vtdigger.com reported. The students were protesting the ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
The war erupted following an Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas launched from Gaza into Israel that killed more than 1,200, including 46 U.S. citizens, according to the U.S. State Department. Hamas also took 254 hostages back into Gaza, and about 100 hostages still are being held. The ensuing war has resulted in more than 45,000 deaths in Gaza, according to PBS.
The University of Vermont said that the students were violating policies such as using the campus green without permission and setting up temporary structures without a permit, vtdigger.com reported. Other reasons for the suspension included disruption of normal student engagement and work patterns.
However, the student protestors asserted that their First Amendment rights were being violated. At the time, there were similar protests occurring on campuses across the country.
The lawsuit stated: "The activities of the participants were peaceful protest and symbolic speech. They included teach-ins, lectures, and group discussions." The lawsuit further stated that many participants were "Jewish students who are not Zionists and oppose Israel's policies."
The lawsuit stated that the universities actions toward the group represented "content-based animus."
In suspending the Students for Justice in Palestine, the university cited its "Student Misconduct Organization" policy. Although the policy specifically references things such as hazing and alcohol abuse, it also states that organizations can have their recognition removed "failure to comply with University policies and expectations."
Ultimately, the court agreed with the university: "The Court finds the University's concerns reasonable. The policy in question addressed two well-established institutional interests: safety and security. Alowing students to sleep outside on University property gives rise to vulnerabilities that are not present when students are housed in secure dormitories," vtdigger.com quoted the decision.
The interim suspension of Students for Justice in Palestine expired within days of the lawsuit being dismissed, meaning the group is now recognized but still under probation, the website reported.
