'Classic overreaction': Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt slammed over vow to 'kick' pro-Palestine protesters out of state colleges

TULSA, OKLAHOMA: In a bold stance against what he termed "hate speech," Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said he wanted to expel supporters of Hamas from the state's colleges.

His remarks came in response to mounting pro-Palestine protests across university campuses nationwide, prompting concerns over free speech and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Addressing extremism on college campuses

Addressing the issue on Fox News's 'Fox & Friends', Stitt said he refused to tolerate expressions of solidarity with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.

"Number one, I don't think it's the majority, I think it's a very small minority that are super vocal," Stitt remarked during the interview.

The Governor's resolve stems from a desire for accountability, particularly in the wake of the October 7 terrorist attack attributed to Hamas.

“They need to be held accountable,” he said. “I wish every young person could watch the video of the GoPro cameras on October 7. These people with machine guns that literally there was a concert going on for young people and they came in and just started mowing them down.” 

“That’s not right, and I mean who are these people that are saying that they encourage that or they stand with Hamas? Man, I would kick ’em out of universities. This is unbelievable. This is hate speech. The Jewish community, just everybody that’s for right and wrong should be absolutely opposed to this," he continued.

"We believe in freedoms but this is unbelievable. When we see people chanting 'death to America,' this is a head-scratcher. We don't know what's happening, what's going on," Stitt said. "But those students need to be punished for the antisemitic activities that are going on."

The Governor's remarks come amid a surge in pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses nationwide, with students advocating for the cessation of military aid to Israel and a ceasefire in Gaza.

Instances of encampments and demonstrations have become increasingly common, prompting university administrations to navigate the delicate balance between free speech and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students, Newsweek reported.

Columbia University, in particular, has found itself at the center of the controversy, with students setting up a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" to voice their support for the Palestinian cause. Despite negotiations between protest organizers and university officials, tensions remain high, highlighting the complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In response to the escalating protests, Columbia President Minouche Shafik announced plans to maintain a hybrid model for classes, citing the need to address ongoing concerns while upholding academic integrity.

"While the University will not divest from Israel, the University offered to develop an expedited timeline for review of new proposals from the students by the Advisory Committee for Socially Responsible Investing the body that considers divestment matters. The University also offered to publish a process for students to access a list of Columbia's direct investment holdings, and to increase the frequency of updates to that list of holdings," Shafik said in a statement. "The University also offered to make investments in health and education in Gaza, including supporting early childhood development and support for displaced scholars."

In a post on social media platform X, Stitt reiterated his position, urging individuals to reconsider their support for terrorist groups.

“If you’re standing with these terrorist groups — it’s time to get your head examined,” the governor asserted. “We’re all about free speech in Oklahoma. But hate speech isn’t going to be tolerated.” 

Social media backlash

However, Governor Stitt's comments sparked a backlash from Gaza sympathizers on social media.

"Classic overreaction by the powers that be," one posted on X.

"Hate speech is free speech," another commented. 

"Is there a single American politician who isn't a total slave to the Jews?" someone else wrote.

"Wonder how many white supremacist marches and drag queen story hour protesters have been tolerated in OK. I bet there have been a few," another chimed in.

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