Photo: “VICTORY TO AL-AQSA FLOOD” is written in chalk on the U of M campus quad during encampment protests in April. (“Al Aqsa Flood is Hamas’ codename for the Oct. 7 massacre). The inverted red triangle symbolizes support for violent Palestinian resistance.

October 23, 2024

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC), Minneapolis Jewish Federation, and St. Paul Jewish Federation released the following joint statement:

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) Minneapolis Jewish Federation, and St. Paul Jewish Federation applaud University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham, members of her administration, UofM police and their partners in local and state law enforcement for swiftly ending the violent takeover of Morrill Hall on Monday, October 21^st, by pro-Hamas demonstrators.

We also thank President Cunningham for her strong statement deploring the ‘threatening behavior and destruction of property [which] endanger safety, [and] erode the fabric of our University community….’

Since October 7, 2023, the JCRC, Jewish students, faculty, and staff, as well as our partners at Minnesota Hillel and Chabad at the University of Minnesota have publicly warned about the violent rhetoric and slogans calling for the murder of Jews (‘Glory to the Resistance,’ ‘Globalize the Intifada,’ or ‘Victory to Al Aqsa Flood’) that have blanketed the University and disrupted campus life not just for our Jewish students, but the vast majority of UofM students who do not share these activists’ pro-Hamas beliefs.

We have long feared that such violent rhetoric would escalate into actual violence. Sadly, our worst fears were realized this Monday with the violent takeover of Morrill Hall by activists from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) who proudly proclaim on their official Instagram account that the October 7 massacres were an act of ‘righteous resistance.’

As described by President Cunningham, ‘[d]oors were barricaded inside and outside with furniture, and bicycle U-locks were placed on door handles, preventing employees’ free movement and exit. This was a terrifying experience for many of our employees.’

This is not an issue of free speech or the right to lawful protest. In her same statement, President Cunningham aptly states that ‘[t]hese actions crossed the line into illegal activity when they actively threatened the emotional and physical safety of our employees, prevented their free movement, disrupted building operations, and destroyed campus property. The safety, security and wellbeing of our staff, students and faculty are our highest priority, and we cannot — and will not — allow this type of behavior.’

The violent takeover of Morrill Hall only ended when eleven people were arrested on probable cause for riot, trespassing and property damage. One of the activists arrested was also held on an additional charge of fourth-degree assault of an officer.

There is no place in civil society for smashing a building and holding people hostage because you believe October 7, the worst single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, was an act of ‘righteous resistance’ and the UofM administration refuses to cede to the antisemitic demands which flow from these violent beliefs.

We again thank President Cunningham and her team for their leadership, and the bravery and service of UofM police and their law enforcement partners.

Finally, we want to highlight the fantastic work of our colleagues at Hillel and Chabad who are making the University of Minnesota a welcoming and safe community for our Jewish students, faculty, and staff. It is our honor to be their partner in this sacred work.

Am Yisrael Chai