SWC to ACLU: It’s Not About Free Speech But About Weaponizing Words

November 2, 2023

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is calling out the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in regards to an open letter sent out to the heads of over 650 US colleges and universities to respect free speech and resist calls to investigate or disband student organizations rallying on behalf of Palestinian rights.

“A college or university, whether public or private, cannot fulfill its mission as a forum for vigorous debate if its leaders initiate baseless investigations into those who express disfavored or even loathsome views,” the ACLU letter reads.

“Such investigations chill speech, foster an atmosphere of mutual suspicion, and betray the spirit of free inquiry, which is based on the power to persuade rather than the power to punish.”

“NO ACLU. It’s not about free speech but about weaponizing words to support the mass murderers of Jewish infants, children, entire families in their homes, mass rape of Israeli women, kidnappings of 30 children and over 220 Israelis and innocents from 40 other countries. No different than defending Nazi mass murderers,” declared Rabbi Abraham Cooper, SWC Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action.

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Shawn Rodgers at srodgers@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).