Tenured California professor fired over Gaza protest wins job back
Summary
A tenured professor at San José State University was fired last year because of her support for pro-Palestinian protests. After appeals, an arbitrator ruled that the university broke the law and ordered her to be rehired.Key Facts
- Sang Hea Kil, a tenured justice studies professor, was the first tenured public university professor fired over activism related to Israel’s war in Gaza.
- The firing followed protests on campus supporting Palestinians and a confrontation in February 2024.
- Kil was accused by the university of encouraging student encampments that broke campus rules and participating in those protests.
- Kil filed a lawsuit claiming her firing violated employment law and the First Amendment, which protects free speech.
- An arbitrator found that the university’s dismissal was not justified and reduced the punishment to a one-month suspension.
- The arbitrator ordered the university to reinstate Kil and pay her backpay.
- The university’s decision to fire Kil went against a faculty committee recommendation to avoid dismissal.
- Kil plans to continue speaking up for Palestinian rights and free speech on campus.
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