By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that Governor Ron DeSantis recently banned pro-Palestinian groups from state colleges and universities?
On a nationwide news interview this past Sunday, DeSantis clarified why he banned such groups, “…so we absolutely decertified them [pro-Palestinian groups]. They should not get one red cent of taxpayer dollars…we also have strong laws in Florida against fundraising groups like Hamas, and we are enforcing those vigorously. It’s not a first Amendment issue. That’s a material support to terrorism issue.”
DeSantis went on to further justify his actions, “You have a right to go out and demonstrate, but you can’t provide material support to terrorism. They’ve linked themselves to Hamas…once you’ve hitched your wagon to a group like Hamas, that takes you out of the realm of normal activity, and that’s something that we’re going to take action against. So, we believe we’re totally justified within the law.”
According to a letter sent by Florida Education Chancellor Ray Rodrigues to university officials, two National Students for Justice in Palestine chapters, “must be deactivated”, thus confirming DeSantis’ statements made on the Sunday talk show.