* Crain’s…
A group of Jewish organizations that includes the the Anti-Defamation League Midwest are calling for Northwestern University President Michael Schill’s removal, saying he failed to prevent the spread of antisemitism on campus after agreeing to a deal with encampment protesters demanding the school end all ties with Israel.
In a joint press release, the ADL Midwest, StandWithUs and The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law said the calls are coming “in response to the reprehensible and dangerous agreement reached between President Schill and leaders of the university’s encampment protests.”
“We call on President Schill to resign immediately and trust that, if he fails to resign, the Board of Trustees will step in as the leaders the University needs and remove him,” a joint statement read.
“For the last seven months — and longer — Jewish Northwestern students have been harassed and intimated by blatant antisemitism on campus, worsening since Oct. 7. Yesterday, President Schill signed an agreement with the perpetrators of that harassment and intimidation, rewarding them for their hate.”
JB and MK Pritzker donated $100 million to Northwestern’s law school in 2015 and its name was changed to Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.
Isabel and I talked it over and decided it was a good time to ask Gov. Pritzker about the Northwestern situation. Isabel is an NU alum as well.
* Here’s Isabel’s question and the governor’s response…
Q: Do you support the Jewish organizations’ call for Northwestern’s president to step down?
Pritzker: I support the Jewish organizations. I’m not about calling for people to step down. What I support is the fact that we need to protect not just Jewish students but all students on campuses where there are protests. And so that’s why I’ve been in regular communication with our state universities, their presidents and Jewish organizations on those campuses.
Somebody else interrupted her so she wasn’t able to get in a follow-up. But somebody else did ask a question about the topic…
Q: The Northwestern protests, all the college campus protests have to do with pushing for a divestment from universities and these companies. I wonder what your thoughts are on just the merits of these protests. Does that accomplish what the protesters hope it would? Is that a reasonable call for them to be making in this time?
Pritzker: I don’t think that’s the reason that you’re seeing the protests. I think you’ve seen people protest for a variety of reasons. Let me be clear. There are anti-war protesters out there. There are people who are anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian, which is different than just being anti-war. And there are some bad actors, too. There are people who are yelling anti-Semitic epithets and are, and have forever been bigoted. And we want to make sure that we’re keeping everybody safe on campus. That’s my focus, keeping everybody safe on campus. We want to protect free speech rights but not hate speech rights. [Crosstalk] And protesting is fine, impeding academic operations is not.
OK, everybody take at least two deep breaths before commenting. And stay on topic. This is a state blog. Remember that.
- Anon1 - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:35 pm:
Isn’t this “dangerous agreement” 2 assistant professorships and 5 student scholarships for Palestinians? The students are allowed to protest, but not with tents or sound systems. This seems like a rational and reasonable agreement. What am I missing?
- bluey - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:41 pm:
Seems like Pritzker once again has figured out how to take down the temperature and react in a rational way. I know he must be taking heat from all sides, but once again this is a display of leadership.
- Amalia - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:41 pm:
I agree with Anon1 Seems a rational and reasonable agreement. Some of the agreement has apparently been in the works for a while even before the protests, investment transparency. It actually seems rather a small give to them especially reading that some louder encampment supporters are angry.
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:42 pm:
=What I support is the fact that we need to protect not just Jewish students but all students on campuses where there are protests=
JB like many is using language that puts on equal footing the rights of all students - when the college protests are 100% endangering and traumatizing Jewish students. Also, lost in the discussion is the actions in Gaza, which are carried out by a legitimate and fairly elected government and that often come with a warning to civilians - are a direct result of the worst terrorist atrocities carried out against Jews since the 1940s
- Matty - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:43 pm:
=There are people who are anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian=
I want to remind people that one can be anti-Israel and not be anti-Semitic. One can disagree with the actions of a state/government without having hatred and bigotry for its people. War is not a binary thing.
- Roger Dodger - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:43 pm:
The #1 ask of all of the protesters is divestment from Israel, whether “anti-war”, anti-Israel, or antisemitic.
I put “anti-war” in quotes because these same folks are not demanding we divest from Ukrainian companies.
Seems like JB is dodging the question, and probably hoping it does not come up at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Side note: A Palestinian group filed a complaint against the law school in early April alleging discrimination and hostile learning environment.
- Roadrager - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:44 pm:
The ADL and its head have not exactly been draping themselves in glory or moral consistency over the past half-year, insisting that any criticism of Israeli military tactics or state leadership are by default antisemitism, while cozying up with the open Great Replacement Theory advocate who owns Twitter and spending money to advertise on his platform.
Pritzker has a very difficult needle to thread, and he seemed to do better than most here simply by not speaking in absolutes.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:47 pm:
===one can be anti-Israel and not be anti-Semitic===
Try to be more precise. One can oppose the US government’s administration without being anti-American, of course. But if one opposes the US as a concept, then that is anti-American.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:47 pm:
It did not really seem like much of an agreement in substance.
- Gravitas - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:48 pm:
Kudos to the Governor for his balanced comments.
President Michael Schill has been an overall disappointment. He has been a weak and ineffective leader at Northwestern University. If he continues to make mistakes there may be grounds for his removal. His clumsy handling of scandals in the Athletic Department in 2023 made a bad situation worse.
- Homebody - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:49 pm:
I appreciate JB staying even keeled about this. The reality is that no matter how you feel about the specific policy issues (both Israeli domestic policy, or US foreign policy with regard to Israel), it becomes very difficult to have nuanced discussions when there are people on all sides who are rhetorical bomb throwers.
When saying “maybe supporting a country who has senior officials talking about wiping Gaza off the map is bad” gets you called an antisemite, and saying “Israel should be able to protect itself from organizations who actively call for its destruction” gets you called a fascist, it can be hard to keep a level head.
I much prefer how JB is addressing this over how other prominent Dems in other states are handling it.
- Jocko - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:52 pm:
I read yesterday that Mona Dugo (Northwestern Dean) was present during a rally on 4/15. I get the right to protest, but it’s not a good look.
https://tinyurl.com/yebp534d
- SWSider - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:52 pm:
Asking Schill to be fired for his agreement with the protestors is extremely odd.
Good or JPB for not taking the obvious bad faith letter seriously.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:56 pm:
Jocko, did you actually read the article you linked? Either up your game or go back to Facebook.
In the statement, the University wrote that Dugo regularly attends student demonstrations on all topics as an observer to ensure the safety of the NU community.
“Her role at these demonstrations is not as a participant or supporter, but as an observer to ensure safety and well-being of the entire community, including those who might be targeted by the protest,” the statement reads.
- halving_fun - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 1:56 pm:
He should have stepped down for the athletic issue
Freedom of speech is paramount even if it disrupts, civil disobedience time honored tradition that brings minority views to the fore
It seems only certain people in society can practice certain constitutional rights
- JS Mill - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 2:01 pm:
First, I am 100% behind Israel in this conflict. So that is the lens I see these events through.
I think once again our governor demonstrates diplomacy and the ability to not further inflame a situation but still calling for the right things.
I am not sure why any university should offer “palestinian” scholarships or professorships. I don’t have a dog in that fight but the history of that movement is not one of peace and tolerance.
=when the college protests are 100% endangering and traumatizing Jewish students.=
Disagree. And what today’s student sees as rising to the level of trauma is not always accurate as evidenced by many student interviews including the one where the Columbia occupiers thought the university was obligated to fee them.
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 2:11 pm:
“The Northwestern protests, all the college campus protests have to do with pushing for a divestment from universities and these companies.”
That’s incredibly reductionist and simply false.
Good for Pritzker for not taking the bait.
- Norseman - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 2:12 pm:
First reaction by angry partisans is off with their heads. 2nd reaction is you get partisan politicians wanting to make political hay by pounding their chests, harrumph, harrumph.
As with a lot of issues, there faults on both sides with how they conduct themselves. My priority issue is the security of the students attending the schools. I would err on the side of ensuring that security without brutality in the use of force.
- Anon1 - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 2:12 pm:
I think it’s broad to say that the Palestinian movement has not been one of peace and tolerance. As with many oppressed diasporas, there have been and are a number of responses to their current situation. There are scholarships and professorships for all sorts of things, including those of particular backgrounds and areas of study. I don’t see the reason these would be outside the scope of precedence.
- Formerly Unemployed - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 2:15 pm:
Schill’s had a tough row. He was the second choice for the job; the first choice declined due to illness. He walked in to a scandal involving a popular football coach. And now he’s dealing with protests. And there are going to be a lot of elite university leadership searches in the next year. He’s probably more secure than most.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 2:15 pm:
Won’t you please come to Chicago
No one else can take your place
We can change the world,
Re-arrange the world
Graham Nash
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 2:20 pm:
=I am not sure why any university should offer “palestinian” scholarships or professorships. I don’t have a dog in that fight but the history of that movement is not one of peace and tolerance=
Universities have long been home to professors that reflect many viewpoints from the Middle East. 35 plus years ago - I was taught by Professor Jamal R. Nassar Jamal at ISU - a great guy - but trust me he had a certain point of view and all the students knew it.
- Phineas - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 2:23 pm:
Good, bad, or indifferent — and many are in the latter two categories — I can’t imagine why a talented academic would want to be a university president these days.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 2:25 pm:
===I was taught by Professor Jamal R. Nassar Jamal at ISU - a great guy - but trust me he had a certain point of view and all the students knew it.===
Me too. Go Redbirds!
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 2:28 pm:
As the leader of the state of Illinois the comments are fine. To the extent he isn’t betraying some deeply held principle, helping reduce tensions deserves praise.
As to the calls for Schill to step down, I agree with them. First, I think it’s difficult to argue that the current protest movement is merely antiwar. It may have started that way, but it’s now clearly anti-Israel, at least as Israel was created in 1948. Indeed, one common chant is “We don’t want no two states / We want all the ‘48.” And while “From the River to the Sea” is not necessarily a call for removal of Jews from Israel/Palestine, it’s clearly a call for a single state of Palestine, which effectively puts the Jews of Israel under a Muslim-majority rule.
As to Schill, regardless of whether you agree with the terms of his settlement, he absolutely rewarded these advocates’ unlawful action by giving them things they wanted. That’s very different than agreeing not to punish them (or withdrawing punishments). Why shouldn’t every group of protesters break Northwestern’s rules and present an agenda? It sure accomplished more than permitted protest. And if Northwestern refuses to make concession of a similar scope, that’s disparate treatment.
Also, there’s a context here. Schill is the same knee-jerk administrator who windsocked on Pat Fitzgerald and the hazing incidents. He has a history of giving into pressure, be it the athletic department, an onslaught of bad publicity, or these protesters.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 2:28 pm:
=I think it’s broad to say that the Palestinian movement has not been one of peace and tolerance. =
PLO, Hamas have been the primary drivers for the Palestinian movement since the 1960’s. You may want to Google their activities. So the movements link to violence would be a reason for not offering the scholarships. Were the students able to demonstrate something different I would see it differently. They aren’t Hamas, but right now they are tacitly supporting Hamas and repeating some of their slogans. I will grant that they may not really know what they are saying or supporting.
- clec dcn - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 2:38 pm:
Got to hand it to JB he has handled the situation really well. I don’t support a lot of what he does but he has a level head in this instance. Also, nice to know Isabel is a NU alumnus and that would explain her excellent mind. Nu is a great academic experience.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 2:43 pm:
The extremists are not helping themselves politically and perhaps will wind up helping Biden, the leader they despise. Because many voters will view them as too extreme. But the aim may not be conciliation, deal-making and compromise, but rather causing damage because they can’t get their way.
There is common sense involved in horseshoe theory. Extremists from any part of the ideological spectrum can act in destructive ways when they don’t get their demands. That was seen with the Rauner budget sabotage.
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 3:09 pm:
“They aren’t Hamas, but right now they are tacitly supporting Hamas”
In other words they need the grownups to tell them how to protest - this whole thing - correctly?
It looks to me like a lot of grownups have absolutely lost their mind seeing college students demonstrate independent thought.
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 3:21 pm:
====I am not sure why any university should offer “palestinian” scholarships or professorships. I don’t have a dog in that fight but the history of that movement is not one of peace and tolerance=
For the very reason that many people make statements like this and are unaware of a far larger society that isn’t represented by its leadership. There have been very few elections for the Palestinian people and their leadership has never been fully democratic and usually far away from democratic at all.
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 3:29 pm:
===. Why shouldn’t every group of protesters break Northwestern’s rules and present an agenda?
How many sit-ins have they tolerated in the President’s office? Because they have, all universities do. Students break the rules advocating for everything from better food to world peace–you are just paying attention right now. Part of the thing about being in an academic institution is you get some grace as you learn.
- Responsa - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 3:31 pm:
–What am I missing?–
Time will tell how dangerous this agreement will be for NU, but it seems quite naive. In the current climate there is almost a zero chance that there will not be additional incursions and staging of pro Palestinian protests fomented by non-student agitators on this topic at the Northwestern campus with the sole purpose of intentionally defying the letter and spirit of the president’s agreement.
I applaud the governor’s attempt to lower the temperature but he has his work cut out for him.
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 3:32 pm:
Oh, and good job Isabel. The kids are all right.
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 3:45 pm:
=Students break the rules advocating for everything from better food to world peace=
So true - I was there proudly “protesting” with thousands of other ISU students when in 1984 the town of Normal dared to ban Keg sales after 10pm - the ISU student body used righteous anger to fight for their right to party.
https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2014/08/oral-history-isus-beer-riot-30-years-later/
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 3:48 pm:
=== the ISU student body used righteous anger to fight for their right to party.
And yet the Cubs winning the division caused more damage that year. Students should absolutely be accountable, but there are different kinds of protests. Also, the Normal police were the worst.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 3:59 pm:
@ArchPundit This was beyond a limited sit-in in the office - the point is whatever level of protest gets this result, others will match it. It sure sounded like encampments were something out of the ordinary.
- Lurker - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 3:59 pm:
Being a Jewish person and the governor makes his words even more impressive. When something rocks your core beliefs, it’s hard to keep them separated and stay level-headed. WTG Gov(bp)
- Free Speech 101 - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 4:04 pm:
“We want to protect free speech rights but not hate speech rights.”
The Governor is a lawyer and an elected official. He should want to protect the first amendment — which does not have a “hate speech” exception. Those bigots have a first amendment right to be bigoted — but not to harass, destroy property, etc.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_speech_in_the_United_States
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 4:06 pm:
==@ArchPundit This was beyond a limited sit-in in the office - the point is whatever level of protest gets this result, others will match it. It sure sounded like encampments were something out of the ordinary.
Universities give students all sorts of latitude was the point and all of this has happened before–most similar to this was the South Africa divestiture movement in the late 80s early 90s.
A post got eaten by moderation or browser weirdness, but it’s important to keep in mind that each campus has different situations even though the tactics seem similar. Some have problems with non-university related folks taking part such as Wash U which had only 27 out of 100 arrested being university related. I would have approached some of the arrests at that event differently, but I understand the reason the university responded.
A negotiated compromise is likely to break the majority of the students off from non-university related folks who have broader goals. Schill seems to have found a good resolution for his campus and as far as I am aware, consistent with Northwestern’s past actions.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 4:16 pm:
=For the very reason that many people make statements like this and are unaware of a far larger society that isn’t represented by its leadership. There have been very few elections for the Palestinian people and their leadership has never been fully democratic and usually far away from democratic at all.=
If you were referring to me, you would be wrong. With respect. I am very well informed on the plight of the palestinian people here and abroad. But people are represented the leadership they choose or is chosen for them. That is a basic fact. As it pertains to NU, the students may not like the school rules or leadership, but just as student leaders represent groups of students the same goes for the university.
That does not mean agreement. But representing people is what leaders and elected officials do.
- hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 4:57 pm:
Glad JB is coming at this situation with a level head unlike so many other politicians and cable news pundits right now.
- Proud Papa Bear - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 5:13 pm:
In my neck of the woods, hardly anyone is talking about this. The few people who have expressed an opinion (both liberals and conservatives) have been fairly similar: they just want the hostages released and the war to end.
I appreciate Pritzker’s stand on this.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 5:52 pm:
Pritzker is taking the correct, measured approach. The school has the right to make the deal it wants. Students and other organizations have a right to protest. Cannot blame the protesters at all, in some cases. As long as it does not involve an assault on people or property. MLK accomplished so much via peaceful but persistent protest. Those who feel aggrieved also have the right to vote, “divest” from attending the school, sue, etc.
- FormerParatrooper - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 8:47 pm:
Someone needs to update the Beatles Revolution lyrics. The ideas by Lennon are still relevant.
I have tried to say something more, but the eloquence to say it escapes me. So I will leave it this and say thank you to the Governor for a reasoned response, and to the other posters here have said responsible things.
- City Guy - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 9:17 pm:
The Democratic Convention is just a few months away. As the host Governor and popular politician I’m sure he will be given a prominent speaking role. I can see him doing a fantastic job discussing college protests regarding the Middle East conflict and lowering the temperature.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, May 1, 24 @ 9:22 pm:
- Why shouldn’t every group of protesters break Northwestern’s rules and present an agenda? It sure accomplished more than permitted protest. And if Northwestern refuses to make concession of a similar scope, that’s disparate treatment. -
This is utter nonsense. Protests are only as effective as the coalition they represent. It seems large groups of young people throughout the US, not to mention the UN and international community think what Israel is doing to Palestinians is wrong.
Your theoretical whataboutism is silly.
- halving_fun - Thursday, May 2, 24 @ 7:42 am:
Not too surprised with the comments about respecting law & order. When not too long ago the laws of this land were unjust and unconstitutional
If you just accept a status quo, you’re not exactly analyzing the situation dispassionately, you just telling yourself that
It takes a brave People’s and Strong society to change Injustice to something positive
It takes an exceptional society to prevent or stop a genocide
Americans have failed a few times before and we’re failing again