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UArizona staff and students stage sit-in to protest against university's decision to put two professors on leave for discussing Israel-Gaza conflict

The class discussion sparked controversy, with numerous students and individuals labeling the professors as antisemitic and accusing them of spreading misinformation

TUCSON, AZ:  Employees and students of the University of Arizona organized a sit-in at the College of Education on Monday, November 20, at 9 am.

The protest was reportedly a reaction to the university administration's decision to put two professors, Dr Rebecca Lopez and Rebecca Zapien, on paid leave following a class discussion they facilitated about Israel and Gaza.

The class discussion sparked controversy, with numerous students and individuals nationwide labeling the professors as antisemitic and accusing them of spreading misinformation.

On Sunday, the United Campus Workers of Arizona issued a statement urging the UA administration to immediately reinstate Professors Lopez and Zapien. They argued that the University’s decision impedes academic freedom on campus.

"College and university officials are obligated to defend academic freedom; they must resist demands from politicians, trustees, donors, students and their parents, alumni or other parties to punish faculty members for exercising that freedom," stated United Campus Workers of Arizona, as per 12 News.

Who is Rebecca Lopez?

Rebecca Lynne Lopez is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Teaching, Learning & Sociocultural Studies department at the University of Arizona.

Who is Rebecca Zapien?

Rebecca Zapien is a Community Liaison in the Teaching, Learning & Sociocultural Studies department at the University of Arizona2. She works closely with the community and plays a significant role in sociocultural studies.

Why are UArizona students protesting?

On November 13, education professors Rebecca Lopez and Rebecca Zapien were reportedly suspended with pay by the college’s Dean Robert Berry and the University of Arizona (UA). This action was taken after a recording of their class was shared on the X platform (formerly Twitter) by @IsraelWarRoom, a pro-Israel account with over 260K followers.

The audio clips, which students allege were edited, feature the professors discussing the Israel-Palestine conflict. At one point, they draw a comparison between Hamas and the Black Panther Party in the United States.

UA spokeswoman Pam Scott stated last week that "the college and university will determine how to proceed after they have completed an ongoing investigation."

In response to the suspensions, some students and others have rallied in support of the professors, arguing that the university acted prematurely in suspending them.

Isabel Garcia, an immigrant rights attorney at the Coalicion de Derechos Humanos, expressed her admiration for Professors Lopez and Zapien at the sit-in.

She said, "I really commend the professors Lopez and Zapien, because they are teaching our children to be critical thinkers, and that's what we need." She further urged, "You must reinstate them."

Will Professors Lopez and Zapien be reinstated? 

The students who orchestrated the sit-in reported receiving over 50 testimonials from students of Professors Lopez and Zapien, all advocating for their reinstatement.

Kisiel Chapman, a senior at the College of Education, presented the group’s demands to Dean Berry. Although Berry agreed to review them, he refrained from making any commitments when pressed by the protesters, as per Tucson. 

Faculty Senate Chair Leila Hudson revealed that Zapien had to relocate due to safety concerns after the audio clips were released.

Hudson argued that the viral clips were taken out of context and believed that the professors handled the topic “sensitively and inclusively.”

She also disclosed that Berry had been the recipient of hate messages following the suspensions.

During the sit-in, Berry engaged with the protesters, addressing their concerns about the university’s process and fielding questions about the swift suspension of the professors.

He confirmed that the class from which the audio was taken took place on October 30, and the professors were suspended on November 13.

The protesters sought clarity on whether the professors would be reinstated. In response, Berry committed to speaking again with Zapien and Lopez, reviewing the students’ letters of support, and providing an answer by Wednesday.

Berry also announced plans for a series of workshops on academic freedom and free speech.

Despite the suspended professors being barred from campus as per the administrative leave policy, he expressed willingness to allow them to participate in the workshops.

Hudson indicated that the Faculty Senate, which represents the general faculty and participates in the governance of the university and the development of university policy, is likely to discuss the suspensions in future meetings, AZ Central reported.