UGA Students Suspended After Israel-Hamas Protest

ATHENS, Ga. — Six University of Georgia students will remain suspended through the fall semester after a disciplinary hearing related to their involvement in an April 29 protest against the Israel-Hamas war. The university's Office of Student Conduct announced the decision following a lengthy 13-hour hearing on July 30. An attorney for two of the suspended students criticized the proceedings as a “kangaroo court,” reflecting the contentious atmosphere surrounding the case. The protest involved 16 students who set up an encampment near the office of university President Jere Morehead, leading to their arrests by campus police. While some protesters resolved their charges informally, the six students maintained that their actions were a legitimate exercise of their right to protest and did not disrupt academic activities. They expressed frustration over the university's perceived support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict. University officials defended the suspensions, stating that the encampments posed risks to students and faculty, and emphasized that the university would uphold policies that protect free expression while ensuring compliance with laws. A panel consisting of two students and one faculty member conducted the hearing, during which administrators noted that the protesters had chosen to ignore campus rules. The situation has sparked significant backlash, with 180 faculty and staff members signing a petition denouncing the sanctions as “unwarranted.” One suspended student, Ezra Lewis, criticized the university for what she described as “selective enforcement” and questioned the legitimacy of the freedom of expression claims made by the administration.