We write as faculty and staff concerned about new and escalating incidents of violence, intimidation, defamation and harassment that attempt to restrict free speech. Such incidents in recent weeks have been directed at students and members of our community who support Palestine.

We intend to inform the broader College community about these occurrences, as some might otherwise remain unaware. We also write to urge the College to take concrete action in the form of protecting free speech and ensuring the safety of all members of our community.

In the context of the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) encampment, students who opposed the protest posted threats on Yik Yak. They called the encampment a “gay orgy,” and smeared pro-Palestine students as “pests,” “pigs,” “fatties,” “b-tches,” “terrorists” and “Hamas supporters.” They told queer students that in Gaza “they would throw you off the rooftop of a building.”

Other posts read: “We are being held hostage by terrorists.” “Who knows how to add tear gas to Smith ventilation??” “Drag their ass out.” “Can anyone explain why there’s a bunch of angry lesbians in Smith?” “Facts im 1 hr away from calling the swat team on these kids.” This behavior has not been restricted to anonymous online forums. The mischaracterization and demonization of the student protestors and their goals also happen in person across campus and even in the classroom.

These insults, threats and unfounded accusations are harming the campus community, and they have already had real consequences:

• Students have reported feeling intimidated by racist, sexist, homophobic, antisemitic and Islamophobic threats. One student, for example, said privately that these threats have made it feel “scary” to walk on campus.
• An SJP member was kicked out of their dorm after a student in the building complained that they felt unsafe. (When the SJP member was packing their belongings, the student who filed the complaint gave the SJP student a parting gift—an Israeli flag.)
• Following the SJP encampment, staff members had to field graphic phone calls castigating the student protesters, insulting Palestinians and expressing hope that the federal government will punish Bowdoin.
• Faculty who were present at the encampment, mainly in their capacity as legal observers, have already been the subject of rumors about their involvement in the events.
• A Jewish SJP member was removed from their role as student director of Jewish life because of their political views.

There are other cases, but students and members of the Bowdoin community are reluctant to publicly share their experiences. Some fear that they will be punished for speaking up, while others are unconvinced that the College will take any meaningful action. For instance, last semester, a Brunswick resident walked onto campus, berated a faculty member for their views on Palestine and then grabbed them. After a months-long investigation, the College decided to drop the case.

Many have come to believe that despite the College’s rhetoric about inclusion, the administration simply does not value their safety as much as it does the security of others on this campus. When some claimed that the encampment made them feel unsafe, the College took immediate action, shut down Smith, posted security guards at every entrance, sent out emails, reassured the campus that it was taking action, encouraged community members to submit reports of harassment, put over 40 students on probation, suspended eight and then suspended SJP, preventing the club from posting fliers, booking rooms or hosting events.

When Black, POC, international, queer, trans, first-generation, low-income or self-identifying non-Zionist and anti-Zionist Jewish individuals on this campus are intimidated, subjected to hate speech, discriminated against, threatened with violent assault and denounced as terrorists, the College drags its feet and issues vague statements. In this moment of heightened repression and fear, as we watch students and faculty on other campuses getting arrested, detained and kidnapped without warrants or formal charges because of their views on Palestine, we need a strong commitment from the College to protect the vulnerable members of our community to the full extent of its power.

Many of our students—including those who have nothing to do with Palestine—now feel unwelcome and unsafe and do not trust the institution in this perilous moment. We are worried for them. And we fear that our concerns won’t be heard. We urge the College to stand strong in its foundational commitment to the liberal arts and the common good. It must stand against the distortions of our current context, take seriously the realities of who has been threatened and excluded and protect the space for vibrant political expression against those who would replace it with silent conformity or the politics of hate.

We ask that the College:

• Make clear how it plans to defend students, staff and faculty from targeted harassment.
• Clarify what constitutes antisemitism, hate speech and discrimination on this campus.
• Explain the criteria it will use to differentiate discomfort from a lack of safety.
• Specify what rights to protest, assembly, expression and academic freedom students, staff and faculty possess.
• Promise to apply its own rules in an equitable manner.

For inquiries, please contact bowdoinfsjp@proton.me.

– The 40+ members of Bowdoin Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine (FSJP).

FSJP was founded in 2024.