Advanced

University of Wisconsin–Madison – Suspension of Students for Justice in Palestine

From July 2025 to January 2026
University of Wisconsin–Madison (Public college or university)
Madison, WI

Identity of Speakers

  • Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
    Student
    Other

    Student organization that advocates for Palestinian rights and organizes educational events, protests, and campaigns related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Resources

Additional Information

  • Incident Nature:
    Rally or protest
    Other student-organized event
    Social media
  • Incident Political Orientation:
    Not Clear
  • Incident Responses:
    Student sanctioned
    Title IX or other federal statute
  • Incident Status:
    No litigation
  • Did not involve Speech Codes

Summary

On July 28, 2025, the University of Wisconsin–Madison suspended its Students for Justice in Palestine chapter after determining the group violated multiple university policies during an April 28, 2025, protest targeting U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield at the Wisconsin State Capitol. During the suspension, the chapter lost access to university funding, space reservations, recruitment privileges, and official student organization status. Administrators stated that the suspension followed prior disciplinary measures related to a mid-May 2024 pro-Palestinian encampment on Library Mall, during which students occupied tents for nearly two weeks to advocate for Palestinian rights and to pressure the university to divest from companies operating in Gaza. University officials said the chapter continued to engage in disruptive demonstrations after those initial sanctions, leading to the July 2025 suspension.

During the April 28, 2025, protest, SJP members disrupted the Board of Regents meeting by chanting, holding signs, blocking entrances, and verbally interrupting speakers, including Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. University administrators concluded that the protest violated campus conduct rules by interfering with official university events, disrupting normal operations, and creating an unsafe and disorderly environment for staff, students, and visitors. The April protest followed warnings and probationary measures related to the mid-May 2024 Library Mall encampment, during which students camped on the mall to advocate for Palestinian rights and push for divestment.

The chapter remained suspended through the fall 2025 semester and returned to campus on January 15, 2026. Upon returning, SJP announced plans to focus on divestment and transparency campaigns, including efforts targeting companies with ties to the Gaza conflict, ICE operations, and Venezuelan military activity. Members stated they would comply with university regulations while continuing advocacy on campus.

The suspension at UW–Madison occurred within a broader national context in which pro-Palestinian student activism drew heightened scrutiny following federal guidance and oversight emphasizing that universities receiving federal funding could face consequences for failing to address complaints of discrimination. Chapters at other universities nationwide were suspended or placed on interim restrictions for protests, demonstrations, or social-media activity deemed in violation of campus policies.