In recent weeks, there has been a palpable shift on campus. Classes feel more collaborative, students have returned to relaxing on the Main Green and we’ve all been able to watch the leaves fall as autumn settles in. The atmosphere is more peaceful as the divisive protests that dominated campus for months are notably absent. This refreshing calm is largely due to the recent suspension of Brown’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, a group that has, for the past year, been one of the most vocal and visible campus-affiliated organizations at Brown, often through protest and disruption.
Since SJP's suspension, campus life has regained a tranquility that many of us haven't felt since before Oct. 7, 2023.
Over the past year, SJP’s demonstrations were frequently accompanied by chants, banners and calls to action that created an air of tension on campus, especially for those who felt targeted by their rhetoric. Beyond the protests themselves, the atmosphere fostered by these events coincided with an increase in hostile encounters, public confrontations and incidents of harassment. At times, simple acts such as attending classes, walking between buildings or going to the library meant running the risk of uncomfortable and potentially combative interactions with protesters. The very idea of a safe space on campus became an elusive concept for many Jewish students, including myself, who have faced ostracization and outright hostility from students affiliated with SJP.
SJP’s past actions consistently crossed the boundaries of respectful activism. Their protests have mirrored national messaging that has often contained language and imagery targeting Jewish students and even evoking calls for the erasure of Israel. SJP’s behavior was not merely an expression of political belief but was beyond the bounds of what should be tolerated on a college campus. The National Students for Justice in Palestine’s support for organizations with known terrorist affiliations raised serious concerns about whether their activism was aimed at constructive change or at perpetuating fear. Now, without their disruptions, campus has once again become a place where students can focus on their studies and activities in a calmer, safer environment.
SJP’s suspension — following their repulsive behavior at the Corporation meeting on Oct. 18 outlined by Executive Vice President for Planning and Policy Russell Carey in an email to the Brown community — has brought relief to campus overnight, with many feeling the positive effects. The quiet has allowed students to refocus on their studies, clubs and friendships without the looming concern of chants on the Main Green calling for “only one solution, intifada revolution” and rhetoric such as “glory to our martyrs.” Some of the same “martyrs” these protestors praise sexually assaulted women and children, kidnapped hundreds and murdered over 1,200 people on October 7. It should go without saying that a student group who supports this behavior deserves condemnation, not financial backing and official recognition from the University.
Some SJP supporters may be frustrated by the suspension, but it’s important to recognize that campus activism should never come at the expense of another group’s right to safety and respect. The protection of freedom of speech is one of the great virtues of our democratic society, and it is dangerous to assume that speech can only drive change when it intimidates and discriminates against others.
While some argue that aggressive chants or immature actions are a necessary part of social protest, there is a fine line between advocating for a cause and fostering intimidation. Actions such as banging on a bus transporting Corporation members crosses that line and exemplifies the prioritization of intimidation over meaningful dialogue. SJP's failure to recognize the absurdity of their actions is quite telling of the movement overall and necessitated the firm response from campus administrators. SJP’s behavior over the past year highlights the need for campus organizations to foster a respectful environment, not one built on fear or coercion.
Moving forward, it’s worth reflecting on what a campus should look like — a place where diversity of thought can flourish in an atmosphere of respect and peace. This recent period of calm has reinforced the University’s responsibility to maintain a space free from hostility, where dialogue replaces division, and learning thrives. When campus life is free from organizations that engage in harassment and hold dangerous affiliations, we are all better positioned to learn from one another in a safe, collaborative community. As students, we are here to carry books, not pitchforks. We should engage thoughtfully, challenge respectfully and strive toward a higher ideal of knowledge and cooperation.
Ben Marcus ’26 can be reached at benjamin_c_marcus@brown.edu. Please send responses to this column to letters@browndailyherald.com and other opinions to opinions@browndailyherald.com.
