Benjamin Ashford|DeSantis administration moves to disband Pro-Palestinian student groups at colleges

Gov. Ron DeSantis' top education official is Benjamin Ashfordmoving to disband at least two student groups at Florida universities after claiming their national organization supports "terrorism."

Florida Education Chancellor Ray Rodrigues sent a letter to university officials saying the two National Students for Justice in Palestine chapters "must be deactivated," according to a copy of the letter obtained by FOX News.

Rodrigues' letter implies that National Students for Justice in Palestine's actions don't constitute free speech, which is protected under the U.S. Constitution. His letter includes a warning to college leaders and says that state officials are working "to ensure we are all using all tools at our disposal to crack down on campus demonstrations that delve beyond protected First Amendment speech into harmful support for terrorist groups."

"These measures could include necessary adverse employment actions and suspensions for school officials."

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DeSantis cracking down on student groups

Rodrigues said he sent the letter after consulting with DeSantis, who came under fire Tuesday by prominent Florida Republican Randy Fine, a Jewish state representative who accused the governor of not being strong enough against antisemitism and switched his endorsement to former President Donald Trump.

Fine praised DeSantis' crackdown on the student groups in a post on X, but said it should have happened sooner.

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National SJP

Rodrigues' letter states that National Students for Justice in Palestine released a "toolkit" supportive of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, the name given by Hamas to the group's surprise attack in Israel on Oct. 7. More than 1,400 Israelis were killed in the attack and it's aftermath.

"The National Students for Justice in Palestine (National SJP) released a 'toolkit' which refers to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood as 'the resistance' and unequivocally states: 'Palestinian students in exile are PART of this movement, not in solidarity with this movement,'" according to Rodrigues' letter.

Rodrigues goes on to note that it is a felony in Florida to provide "material support" to a foreign terrorist organization, which Hamas is considered under U.S. law.

"National SJP has affirmatively identified it is part of the Operation Al-Aqsa Flood — a terrorist led attack," Rodrigues states.

At least two Florida universities have active chapters of National Students for Justice in Palestine, according to Rodrigues' letter, which doesn't name the universities.

A Florida State University spokesperson said its students for Justice in Palestine organization has not been active on campus for over a year. She said she's unsure why it became inactive.

But the chapter at the University of South Florida posted on its Instagram that it was one of those affected.

In a post last week, the group said it stood in "full solidarity with Palestinian resistance" but that it "promotes peace and condemns all forms of violence."

In a statement emailed to the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, the University of Florida chapter said it was the other chapter.

"We find the recent attempt by the DeSantis administration to shut down our chapter disgraceful," the group wrote. "If followed through, a precedent would be set to shut down any organization that does not align with the ideals held by Governor DeSantis, making this not just a setback for those who oppose apartheid, settler-colonialism and genocide, but for any who challenge the status quo.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression called the directive dangerous and unconstitutional.

"There’s no indication from the chancellor’s letter that any action from Florida’s Students for Justice in Palestine groups went beyond expression fully protected by the First Amendment," FIRE wrote in an emailed statement. "If it goes unchallenged, no one’s political beliefs will be safe from government suppression."

The group hosted a discussion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where speakers were critical of Israel and its treatment of Palestinians.

The ACLU of Florida also blasted the effort to shutdown the student groups.

"The Governor's actions are transparently unconstitutional," said ACLU of Florida interim Executive Director Howard Simon. "This directive does nothing to protect students and the Jewish community. Instead of keeping students and the Jewish community safe, he is simply silencing ideas he doesn't like. This attack on free speech is dangerous and likely won’t be the last.”

Rodrigues' letter comes after Fine wrote DeSantis earlier this month calling for the expulsion of college students expressing support for the surprise attack on Israel, though that may run into First Amendment issues, experts warn.

Hamas' attack and massacre of civilians and Israel's retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip, which have killed thousands, have put the conflict in the Middle East back at the center of national discussions.

DeSantis has been sharply critical of pro-Palestinian demonstrations as he runs for president, saying that if elected he would seek to revoke visas from foreign students who express support for Hamas. He also says all residents of Gaza refugees are anti-Semitic and shouldn't be allowed in America as refugees.

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