Students for Justice in Palestine Protest Annual Shapiro Lecture at Nitschke Hall
Photos taken by LaNyiah Gilbert and Brandon N-G
Written By: Lauren York, LaNyiah Gilbert, Brandon N-G
TOLEDO, Ohio – Students gathered at Nitschke Hall Auditorium at the University of Toledo on Thursday evening to protest a lecture by New York Times foreign affairs columnist and author Thomas Friedman.
The event took place during the university’s annual Edward Shapiro Distinguished Lecture Series, where Friedman was scheduled to deliver a lecture on global trends in economics, technology, and geopolitics.
Students for Justice in Palestine (UTSJP) expressed strong opposition to Friedman’s past foreign policy writings on Middle Eastern affairs. Friedman has received criticism for his commentary on the region, including a 2024 column that received public backlash for comparing the Middle Eastern nations and political factions to insects in a jungle.
Protesters gathered outside the building before moving inside; taking seats throughout the auditorium. Once Friedman began his presentation, the protesters began coordinated interruptions one after another.
A member from UTSJP stood up, held a sign, and began shouting directly at the stage. Campus police intervened and escorted the student out of the auditorium. Friedman resumed his lecture, only to be interrupted again a moment later by another student doing the same thing. Each time only stopping after police interference.
According to multiple protesters, police officers informed them that the next person who stood up with intention to interrupt the event would be leaving the building in handcuffs. There were no further verbal disruptions following this warning. The remaining protesters quietly exited the building shortly afterwards.
Student protesters insisted on anonymity and did not want to be identified out of concern for potential legal action.
The motivation to join the protest for some was personal. Many citing family ties and personal losses related to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East drove them to speak out.
The overall goal was to present university officials and those attending the lecture with a different perspective on Middle Eastern foreign policies.
