The Columbia Student Governing Board (SGB) has derecognized a group for queer and non-binary students after its leader made a series of anti-Semitic comments.
Members passed the vote by a slim majority Tuesday, with about 50 percent in favor of derecognizing the group LionLez and 49 percent against, according to the Columbia Spectator.
SGB claimed the move was based on the group's actions and not the individual leader's conduct.
But the decision came after former president and founder, Lizzy George-Griffin, posted a flyer for an event in the wake of Hamas' October 7 attack with the note: 'It's FREE PALESTINE over here. Zionists aren't invited'.
She later doubled down on her remark in an email claiming the 'Holocaust wasn't special' and 'Israelites are the Nazis'.
The Columbia Student Governing Board (SGB) derecognized LionLez, a group for queer and non-binary students, following its leader's anti-Semitic comments
A flyer, designed by George-Griffin and posted in October, promoted an event with the note, 'It's FREE PALESTINE over here. Zionists aren't invited'
She later doubled down on her comments, and claimed that the Holocaust 'wasn't special'
In an email, George-Griffin defended the flyer and stated that 'white Jewish people are today and always have been the oppressors of all brown people. WHEN I SAY THE HOLOCAUST WASN'T SPECIAL, I MEAN THAT,' she wrote.
LionLez plans to undergo recognition processes at Barnard and apply to the Activities Board at Columbia, according to the Spectator.
SGB cited four causes as grounds for its decision to derecognize the group, including: violations of non-discrimination policies, inclusivity standards, safety concerns, and a lack of cooperation.
In a town hall, SGB claimed that LionLez violated University non-discrimination policy due to 'various group communications expressing anti-Semitic sentiments and a lack of condemnation for these communications,'
They also included the 'LionLez constitution's racial quota requirements for board members.'
In the email, George-Griffin defended the flyer and stated that 'white Jewish people are today and always have been the oppressors of all brown people. WHEN I SAY THE HOLOCAUST WASN'T SPECIAL, I MEAN THAT'
SGB claimed the derecognition is based on the group's actions and not the individual leader's conduct but the decision came after former president and founder, Lizzy George-Griffin, was slammed for her comments
LionLez plans to undergo recognition processes at Barnard and apply to the Activities Board at Columbia
In response to the decision, George-Griffin denied accusation of antisemitism in a three-page statement to the Spectator
Other board members claimed George-Griffin was the sole person in charge of the club's social media pages and wrote and sent emails without consulting with the group, in a letter to the Spectator on Oct 26
In response to the decision, George-Griffin denied the accusation of antisemitism in a three-page statement to the Spectator.
'LionLez's derecognition is a direct result of the current political climate on campus,' she said.
'Nonetheless, we will continue resisting and celebrating with the queer women and nonbinary people in our community. We will finish our recognition process at Barnard and apply to be recognized ...'
'To be clear, LionLez was a successful organization before recognition and we will continue to thrive without SGB. Everyone be on the lookout for flyers to our next event!'
Other board members claimed in a letter to the Spectator on October 26 that George-Griffin was the sole person in charge of the club's social media pages and wrote and sent emails without consulting with the group.
When asked about her controversial remarks in October, George-Griffin told the New York Post: 'We are within our right of freedom of speech to verbally disinvite a genocidal group of people: Zionists.'
Columbia University has been battling anti-Semitism from both students and faculty since the October 7 Hamas attack. Pictured: Pro-Palestine students protesting on campus on Oct. 12
Columbia University's campus roiled by protest (Oct 12). A record numbers of Jewish students have been assaulted or harassed at US colleges since Hamas' terrorist attacks in Israel - as pro-Palestine activists turn campuses from Harvard to Cornell into hotbeds of anti-Semitic anger
The Anti-Defamation League has urged colleges to investigate campus chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine for supporting Hamas. Israeli students are seen on campus on Oct. 12
Almost 300 staff signed a letter condemning their colleagues for defending students who said Hamas' terror attack was justified. Pictured: Pro-Israel students at Columbia on October 12
Columbia University has been battling anti-Semitism from both students and faculty since the October 7 Hamas attack.
Almost 300 staff signed a letter condemning their colleagues for defending students who said Hamas' terror attack was justified.
They stressed that freedom of speech is vital - but that did not extend to justifying acts of terrorism and said they are 'astonished' and 'horrified' that anyone could condone the murders.
In November, the university launched a 'Task Force on Antisemitism' to tackle the 'terribly resilient form of hatred' after a record-breaking number of Jewish-related assaults and harassment on campuses across the country.
A record numbers of Jewish students have been assaulted or harassed at US colleges since Hamas' terrorist attacks in Israel - as pro-Palestine activists turn campuses from Harvard to Cornell into hotbeds of anti-Semitic anger.
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