Reply to MACA-Rutgers Part 2
The second event that MACA cites in its attack on the EJC and SJP is the disruption of an anti protest seminar put on by the university for incoming freshmen:
”Earlier this month, a newly created antisemitic group (their first Instagram post was August 6, 2024) with curious allied interests to that of EJC and SJP (e.g. false allegations of Israel committing “genocide” in Gaza and Rutgers attempting to silence free speech, statement about “student protests for Palestine”), some dressed like Hamas terrorists clad in face masks and keffiyeh, disrupted a new student orientation. It is unclear what their goal was other than to scare the Freshman class by asserting rank militaristic intimidation tactics on them. [7]
Clearly, this was not a “peaceful” protest. Nor would Rutgers have approved any type of protest at a Freshman orientation. We are unaware of any investigation or consequences imposed by Rutgers.”
The group in question is known as Build Up Resistance Now.NJ, the refusal to use its name in the text is confusing. One wonders if the intention is to prevent casual readers from looking up BURN.NJ’s social media. If one were to do that, one would find a video of the event which shows a raucous but peaceful protest. No attempts were made on video to intimidate anyone, and the fact that protesters feel the need to wear masks is a testament to the effectiveness of online doxing groups like MACA.
According to BURN.NJ’s account of the event, which is supported by video evidence; “We marched into New Student Orientation, handed out flyers, and exposed how Rutgers is attempting to suppress our voices and scare us into silence. In response to our demonstration, campus security and emergency services came to the building, and some doors were locked shut. Orientation leaders tried to direct the students away, but the students insisted on staying and listening to our speech. People in the crowd cheered, chanted, and raised fists in solidarity.”
Describing the atmosphere surrounding the encampment, BURN.NJ describes the kinds of intimidation that groups like MACA want to use to silence student voices:
“The protest skit is instructing students to "negotiate," but when students tried to negotiate for divestment from Israel in the spring of 2024, the university made threats so that things would go their way. Rutgers ordered police not just from New Brunswick, but from all across New Jersey to pull up to campus armed with batons, zip ties, and riot gear. Even local hospital workers were told to “expect injured students” and had to implement a mass trauma protocol for the day.”
This publication wholeheartedly endorses BURN.NJ and calls for the development of political organizations of the BURN type throughout the world!