Since the October 7 attack on Israel, I have witnessed many pro-Hamas protests on my campus featuring enraged leftists chanting bumper sticker slogans.
As a Young Americans for Freedom chapter leader at the University of Florida, it is surprising to see so many individuals at such a prestigious university voicing their opinions – in favor of terrorism against the Israeli people.
Recently, a spray painted memorial for those who have lost their lives in Israel at the hands of Hamas was defaced by students and members of the community.
Posters of missing children have been torn down, Jewish students have been told they are responsible for genocide, and large protests happen frequently on campus.
This is all still happening despite Florida Governor Ron DeSantis disbanding all student organizations from Florida universities that support Hamas terrorists.
According to the letter sent by the Florida Governor, several groups were instructed to be removed including an organization known as National Students for Justice in Palestine (National SJP) who published a “toolkit” referring to the terrorist group Hamas as “the resistance.
This has not stopped these groups from protesting and walking out of classrooms.
Jagger Leach, a Jewish student and president of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity at the University of Florida stated he was overcome with joy that organizations like SJP were being removed from campus. Leach said “When the Jewish community came together to mourn the lives lost and to support each other during this difficult time, SJP led an educational workshop on how Jews deserved it.”
He continued, “I applaud Governor DeSantis in this decision and I hope more states follow suit in refusing to fund antisemitic and proterrorism organizations.”
Gator Nation knows better than supporting terrorism. It is shocking that so many students have continued to host these events and show up to rallies on campus. Enough is enough.
Recently, my YAF chapter hosted Ben Shapiro to deliver a speech, “Hamas is Evil, and Its Defenders are Jew-Haters.”
Shapiro’s visit was met with keyboard warriors online, hundreds of fake tickets being reserved by spammers, and protestors. After the event, “Free Palestine” chants from protestors gathered outside.
As we advertised for our event, we were met with angry leftists tearing down and defacing our posters. As we handed out flyers, students would refuse to take them to show their support of Palestine. Since then, the protests in favor of Hamas have only gotten worse.
When are college students going to wake up and see what is going on? Hamas has violently and brutally killed thousands of Jews in Israel. Hamas has placed its headquarters under a hospital. It is clear that Hamas is evil and has a goal of killing Jewish people. Not just in Israel, everywhere. We as Americans who advocate for all things good should not support Hamas and should actively denounce them.
The world is watching as the United States responds to the growing tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict with Israel and Hamas. College students- do not be on the wrong side of history.
