Rutgers University President Francine Conway emphasized the institution’s dedication to “academic freedom” amid escalating concerns regarding a professor linked to Antifa.
Conway stated, as reported on Tuesday, “We reaffirm Rutgers University’s unwavering commitment to academic freedom and freedom of expression. These values define a great research university and underpin our mission of discovery, dialogue, and social engagement.”
“The incidents of ‘doxxing’ and harassment directed at faculty and staff are understandably distressing for our community. I stand in support of those within our community eligible for scholarships,” Conway further noted.
Recently, the campus chapter of Turning Point USA initiated a petition to dismiss assistant professor Mark Bray, author of *Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook*.
Bray has been labeled as “Dr. Antifa.”
In an October 10 social media update, Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Corbett mentioned that alongside their petition, another one was created calling for the disbanding of their chapter.
He described the second petition as an “outrageous smear document” that accused TPUSA (not Antifa) of “promoting hate speech and inciting violence against our community.” He mentioned that one of their students faced threats but continued to advocate for free speech, while he criticized Bray for supposedly fleeing to Spain.
Reports indicated that Bray’s personal information was leaked, and he received death threats, prompting him to leave for Europe.
In a 2017 interview, Bray supported Antifa’s aggressive tactics, asserting that force was necessary to combat Nazism and emphasizing the need for self-defense.
Moreover, Bray revealed that a portion of his book’s proceeds would fund Antifa’s protests.
“In his book, Bray argues that violence plays a ‘vital’ role in Antifa’s endeavors. He stated, ‘Antifascists do not wait for a fascist threat to become violent before taking action to physically stop it when necessary,'” according to reports.
Additionally, a petition aimed at removing the Turning Point USA chapter at Rutgers has reportedly garnered backing from Tia Kolbaba, an associate professor of religion.
However, a Google search on Kolbaba led to reviews suggesting that some students viewed her as “mean,” claiming she was intolerant of conservative viewpoints and posed a threat to free speech.
Fox News stated that Conway has instructed Rutgers leadership to reassess safety protocols while opposing the release of personal data concerning faculty or students.
Conway reiterated the importance of facilitating “open and robust discussion.”
Yet, Meghan Doyle, a Rutgers student and treasurer of the Turning Point USA chapter, opined that Conway’s remarks could be interpreted as supporting Bray.
“If Rutgers University genuinely aims to uphold academic freedom and free speech, it should hold Mark Bray accountable to the same standards,” she commented.
In September, President Donald Trump designated Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization and later suggested classifying it as a foreign terrorist organization.
