Free speech on college campuses as tensions rise examined by U.S. House Judiciary

WASHINGTON — U.S. lawmakers debated the freedom of speech of students on college campuses during a committee hearing Wednesday.

The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee held the hearing amid a rise of antisemitism on college campuses following Hamas attacks on Israel. Many Jewish students and others showing support for Israel have been targets of violence since Oct. 7.

Muslims in the U.S. also have reported being the targets of violence and bias, but the hearing mostly focused on Jewish and conservative students.

Protesters in support of Palestinians repeatedly interrupted witness testimonies and were removed from the hearing room. The protesters called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the liberation of Palestinians who are under Hamas occupation.

Democratic committee members and a witness advocated for greater funding for the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

“Without these important resources, students will continue to live in fear of harm,” said U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, a Georgia Democrat.

The DOE’s Office for Civil Rights is primarily responsible for “combating antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination in higher education,” said U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, a Georgia Democrat.

He said the office “needs sufficient funding” to carry out its mission. He referenced the Biden administration’s request for a 27% increase in funding for the Office for Civil Rights.

“Every student, including students of Jewish, Israeli, Muslim, or Arab backgrounds, deserves a safe college learning environment free from threats of violence and discrimination,” Johnson said.

On the other hand, Republicans voiced skepticism about whether DEI programs and this increase in funding would reduce violence on college campuses.

U.S. Rep. Thomas Tiffany, a Wisconsin Republican, said that “as we put more federal dollars” into these programs, there is “more intolerance.”

The panelists and committee members also discussed to what extent hate speech is protected.

Antisemitism on college campuses

Amanda Silberstein, a Cornell University student and Chabad Cornell board member, testified about her experiences as a Jewish student living in fear of antisemitism on her campus.

Cornell University canceled classes Nov. 3 following a series of antisemitic threats posted to an online discussion board.

Silberstein said her family members and close friends who live in Israel — “in an active war zone” —  call her daily to check whether she is safe on her college campus.

“Speech advocating for violence should not be tolerated on college campuses,” Silberstein said.

She said that being discriminated against or viewed differently by her peers for being Jewish crosses her mind multiple times a day.

“We are resilient, we are perseverant, and we will not stop shouting out and voicing our concerns and voicing our fear until it is dealt with,” Silberstein said.

Conservative viewpoints on college campuses

University of Iowa student Jasmyn Jordan, who is the chairwoman of Iowa Young Americans for Freedom, an activist organization for young conservatives, testified at the hearing.

Jordan choked up when telling the committee about how her campus peers called her a Nazi and white supremacist due to the conservative guests her organization would host — including Kellyanne Conway, a member of the administration of former President Donald Trump.

“Students who hold opposing views are often subjected to frequent, violent threats and other forms of harassment with no accountability,” Jordan said.

Connor Ogrydziak, a recent graduate of the University of Buffalo and former chairman of University of Buffalo Young Americans for Freedom, testified about his own organization’s experiences.

Ogrydziak’s Young Americans for Freedom organization faced threats and protests from students over speakers it invited to his campus, he said.

Bringing education and awareness to students

Kenneth Marcus, the founder and chairman of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, testified at the hearing. His organization is a non-profit aiming to protect the rights of Jewish people.

Marcus said that education about the Holocaust is “insufficient,” and that students additionally need more exposure to conversations about examples of antisemitism today.

Other witnesses at the hearing included Stacy Burdett, the vice president of government relations and advocacy and community engagement at the Anti-Defamation League, and American University professor Pamela Nadell, who is AU’s Jewish Studies Program director.

Burdett said she supported increased funding for the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

Burdett said this funding increase will help the office keep up with complaints.

Burdett said Jewish people “feel alienated” and “alone.” She also said that Jewish people want “support, prevention” of violence and “awareness building” in their communities.