UW-Madison Suspends SJP Chapter Over April Protest Violations

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has suspended its Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter until January 15, 2026, following violations of multiple university policies during an April protest against former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield. The protest disrupted Thomas-Greenfield's event, who had vetoed several U.N. resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, leading to violations including amplified sound, obstruction of entrances, disorderly conduct, and breaching prior probation terms. Although a committee recommended extending disciplinary probation, the Dean of Students overruled this and imposed the suspension, which SJP is currently appealing. The group criticized the decision, accusing campus police of escalating the situation and framing the suspension as an attempt to silence opposition to genocide. SJP has a history of organizing pro-Hamas activism and was already under probation for a previous protest encampment. The university's action marks a significant disciplinary response to the chapter's campus activities amid ongoing tensions related to the Gaza conflict.