MEAWW.COM / NEWS / POLITICS

Internet divided as Arizona State University cancels event with Rashida Tlaib after she defended genocidal call against Jews

Rashida Tlaib was scheduled to speak at the 'Palestine is an American issue' event, organized by the Arizona Palestine Network

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Arizona State University (ASU) has stirred a new controversy after canceling an event featuring Rep Rashida Tlaib, who has publicly defended calls for genocide against Jewish people.

The 47-year-old Tlaib was scheduled to speak at the “Palestine is an American issue” event, which had been organized by the Arizona Palestine Network, which is not an on-campus organization at ASU.

However, the University canceled the event, stating that it did not comply with their policies and procedures. “Organizers of events using ASU facilities must be properly registered with ASU and must meet all university requirements for crowd management, parking, security, and insurance,” a spokesperson of the University told Fox.

“In addition, the events must be produced in a way which minimizes disruption to academic and other activities on campus,” they added.

“The event featuring Congresswoman Tlaib was planned and produced by groups not affiliated with ASU and was organized outside of ASU policies and procedures. Accordingly, that event will not take place today on the ASU Tempe campus,” the spokesperson continued.

Rashida Tlaib was censured by the House

ASU's decision to cancel the event came just a few days after the House officially voted to censure Tlaib for her condemnation of Israel in the wake of Hamas' unprecedented attack and the country's retaliation to it by bombing Gaza.

The bill, which Representative Rich McCormick authored, passed 234 to 188, with 22 Democrats voting in favor and four Republicans voting against it.

In the resolution, Tlaib was condemned for "calling for the destruction of the state of Israel and promoting false narratives regarding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel."

She has faced criticism in the past for chanting the pro-Palestinian phrase "from the river to the sea," which many view as an antisemitic incitement to destroy Israel.

She even went so far as to call President Joe Biden "complicit" in the murder of children in the Middle East and to advocate "genocide" in Gaza.

"My perspective is needed here now more than ever. I will not be silenced and I will not let you distort my words," she said in a passionate speech after the vote.

Arizona Palestine Network criticizes ASU

Following the cancellation, the Arizona Palestine Network criticized the university, stating that the institution was 'blocking' their right to Free Speech.

“The Arizona State University administration would have the public believe that the event with Rep. Rashida Tlaib was canceled due to it being planned by outside organizations, but this is demonstrably false,” the group wrote in a Facebook post.

“Several student groups were directly involved with the process of planning this event in direct coordination with the University since AUGUST. All proper procedures and guidelines were followed to ensure the event happened in accordance with University policy, across several documented meetings,” the post added.

“ASU tried to silence Rashida’s voice, our voice, but it only inspired us to become much louder!” the group continued.

The pro-Palestine group also launched a petition not to cancel the event, where students were asked to copy a template they had posted with their name and email University officials.

Internet reacts to ASU’s decision

ASU has apparently divided the Internet with its decision to cancel the event, where Tlaib was due to deliver a speech.

“Arizona State University just earned my respect,” one user said. “That must have hurt because the squad is usually the ones calling for cancellation,” a second user wrote.

“I don’t think she is hurting for places to speak right now… Just saying 😏” a third stated while another asserted, “I am not a big fan of her but she never said that. More misinformation.”

“She can say from the river to the sea Palestine will be free. She has a right to do that. This is absolutely discriminatory,” someone else wrote in her defense.

“Surprised but grateful they’re doing the right thing,” another wrote. “Finally, the moral compass seems back to "normal" in ASU, we can't be overrun by the extreme left,” a user said.