CHARLOTTESVILLE (WINA) – A letter issued from the group “Students for Justice in Palestine at UVa” — without naming Hamas — expresses unequivocal support for what they call “Palestinian liberation fighters… to resist the occupation of their land by whatever means they deem necessary”. They have planned a “teach-in” on the Rotunda steps at 5:30 Thursday afternoon.
The letter has prompted outrage from some such as Virginia House Speaker and UVa alum Todd Gilbert who calls the statement “vile” and endorsement of “rape, murder, and kidnapping of innocent people which we know includes the beheading of babies”. He calls on the University Administration to “condemn” the statement and “take action”… though he does not suggest what action that should be. A respondent to Gilbert’s post on “X” notes a Thomas Jefferson statement, “this institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind… for here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it.”
A letter to the University community from President Jim Ryan says, “There is no question that this attack and its aftermath have stirred deep emotions within this community, including sadness, fear, grief, and anger.”
“I trust that we as a community can and will adhere to UVA’s longstanding tradition of not just allowing free speech but promoting civil discourse, even when – perhaps especially when – we strongly disagree.”
Click here to see the letter, and Speaker Gilbert’s expressions.
Click here for President Jim Ryan’s complete letter.
