Rowan Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) was indefinitely suspended by the university on Feb. 7 after a far-right Facebook group sent in complaints about their recent welcome week flyer.

The suspension means the club is no longer considered a recognized student organization that can be affiliated with Rowan and they are no longer able to access campus spaces or facilities or use any university funds for any purpose.

“This unjust decision silences pro-Palestinian voices and sets a dangerous precedent of repression on campus. We stand firm in our commitment to justice and demand our reinstatement immediately,” said the club in a statement posted on Instagram.

Similar incidents have occurred on other college campuses across the country. Brown University suspended its student chapter of SJP after a protest back in Oct. 2024 and Rutgers-New Brunswick suspended theirs until July 2025 back in August.

The Whit reached out to the Dean of Students office on multiple occasions about the decision to suspend SJP, but they failed to comment.

Make NJ Red, a private group on the social media platform, raised concerns about the club’s flyer, which depicted a man wearing a keffiyeh and holding a slingshot. 

“The way to effectuate change and stop crazy things from happening is getting thousands of people to make calls with the same messaging to the people who are in charge,” said a user in a post to the conservative Facebook group supporting the university’s decision to suspend SJP. “…That [SJP’s ban] may be temporary, and there will be future fights needed. I will keep you posted. Thank you all and God bless America.”

Make NJ Red said these flyers were “threatening in nature” and also claimed that SJP has “connections to external organizations that promote violence and harm towards others” in complaints sent to Rowan. They also compared SJP to other white supremacist and terrorist organizations, according to SJP’s statement posted to Instagram.

The Whit reached out to Make NJ Red, but they failed to comment.

The imagery of the slingshot in the Palestinian liberation movement came from the first Intifada, where Palestinian youth often confronted Israeli tanks using merely stones and objects when their homes were being invaded. SJP also acknowledged the object’s symbolism in their statement, saying it “represents the belief in justice and the struggle for liberation in the face of overwhelming odds.”

Student Government Association (SGA) President Zackary Brown says he has limited information regarding SJP’s suspension but will work with the club to come to a resolution.

“I want to emphasize that my entire team and I are here to support students, listen to their concerns, and ensure that all voices are heard. If there is anything we can do to assist students during this difficult time, we encourage open dialogue and engagement,” said Brown.

SJP will hold a rally in opposition to the university’s decision to suspend the club on Feb. 18 at 12:30 p.m. at the Owl Statue.  

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