Sereen Haddad: Standing for Justice Amidst Controversy
Sereen Haddad, a 20-year-old Palestinian American, embodies a remarkable academic dedication. Having completed a four-year psychology degree at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in just three years, she graduated with the highest honors. Yet, paradoxically, Haddad remains unable to receive her diploma. “Not because I didn’t complete the requirements,” she asserts, “but because I stood up for Palestinian life.” This phrase encapsulates a larger narrative: the intersection of educational institutions, student activism, and geopolitical controversies.
The Personal Cost of Activism
Haddad’s activism stems from personal roots in Gaza, where she has tragically lost over 200 family members due to ongoing conflicts. Committed to raising awareness about Palestinian rights, she became an active member of VCU’s Students for Justice in Palestine. Last year, Haddad participated in an encampment to advocate for her cause. While the encampment ignited widespread protests, the backlash was severe. Police intervention led to violent confrontations, with Haddad sustaining head trauma requiring hospitalization. Yet, neither this event nor her activism was the reason her diploma was withheld; it was an eerily similar event that occurred a year later.
The Shifting Landscape of Freedom of Speech
This year, during a peaceful memorial to address the previous protest’s repercussions, university authorities perceived the gathering as a violation of new, strict regulations concerning on-campus events. The transformation of the university’s attitude illustrates a broader trend affecting free speech on campuses nationwide. The ongoing conflict in Gaza is continuously morphing traditional views on freedom of expression and political dissent into landscapes where institutional responses resemble suppression rather than open discourse.
A Picnic Turned Protest
On April 29, 2025, students gathered for what they deemed a commemorative picnic—a simple, informal assembly on campus to discuss past events. Yet, as authorities arrived, what began as a gathering shifted dramatically. University administrators confronted the students over social media promotions of their meeting, branding it an "organized event" that had not been registered. The reclassification of the picnic into something that required oversight was emblematic of an evolving norm that increasingly polices political expression.
The Free Speech Zone Dilemma
Students were directed to relocate to a newly designated "free speech zone," a location deemed more appropriate for events involving political expression, often criticized for its limitation of discourse. The free speech zone’s placement betrayed a lack of genuine commitment to free expression; it resembled more of a quarantine than a sanctuary. In essence, the university’s interpretation of the rules was changing rapidly, reflecting a climate of fear regarding dissent and political organization on campus.
Baker’s Dozen of Confusion
As the picnic continued under scrutiny, students were subjected to assorted regulations from various university officials, creating a sense of confusion about what was permissible. When more than a dozen campus police officers arrived, the situation escalated. Instructions became increasingly convoluted—first demanding the removal of political banners and then permitting their presence if the blankets were cleared. Such encounters spotlight the power dynamics at play, establishing a retaliatory atmosphere whenever Palestinian issues were raised.
Arrest and Aftermath
In a moment of frustration, a student raised a sign referencing the earlier brutality experienced by activists during the encampment. The response was immediate: an arrest. As protestors declared, “You bring cops to a picnic! That’s what turns it into a demonstration!” the situation erupted into chaos. Meanwhile, Haddad and another prominent student were later informed that their degrees were being withheld. This incident underscores a troubling connection between the university’s policies and the broader geopolitical climate surrounding the Palestinian cause.
Systemic Suppression of Dissent
Haddad’s experience is not isolated. Across the United States, universities appear to be tightening their grip on protests advocating for Palestinian rights. Similar incidents occurred at Harvard, where students peacefully gathered to express solidarity with Palestine and subsequently faced punitive administrative action. The selective enforcement of rules points to a chilling trend where institutions protect corporate interests over free speech.
Repression of Political Expression
What catalyzes such stringent responses from academic institutions? The intertwining of donor interests, military affiliations, and institutional power dynamics raises critical questions. When students call out injustices, many universities react not with support but with fear—fear of losing funding or facing backlash from influential allies.
The Broader Implications for International Law
Haddad’s plight reflects a broader existential crisis regarding political dissent and freedom of speech in contemporary society. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has reshaped narratives around rights and responsibilities within foundational legal frameworks. As humanitarian crises mount, the world grapples with the implications of inaction and complicity in violence.
Double Standards in Responses
Haddad aptly notes that had these protests been targeting a conflict such as Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, institutional responses would differ fundamentally. The disparate treatment illustrates how political legs may shift, allowing certain narratives to be prioritized while others face systemic silence or suppression.
The Foundation of International Responsibility
The international stage is not exempt from scrutiny either. Historical commitments, such as the Leahy Law and the Foreign Assistance Act, are routinely disregarded as the US fails to impose repercussions for human rights violations in the context of Israeli military actions. Such discrepancies demonstrate the notion that international law often serves as a tool for powerful nations rather than a set of objective standards for civil conduct.
The Deterioration of Human Rights
As the conflict continues unchecked, serious allegations arise regarding the use of terrorism, genocide, and mass displacement as strategies in warfare. This fundamental shift toward normalizing extreme violence poses essential questions of morality and international legal standards.
The Fallacy of the Rules-Based International Order
The situation raises critical thoughts on whether a true "rules-based order" exists or is simply a facade that benefits strong nations. An increasingly militarized world shaped by selective legality illustrates the pressing need for accountability and transparency in global governance.
Through Haddad’s experience, we see how the struggle over free speech on campus resonates with larger global dynamics. The intertwining of local activism and international justice positions a singular narrative.
The story of Sereen Haddad is emblematic of the ongoing struggle for justice and the severe costs of attempting to challenge institutionalized silence. As she eloquently articulates, this form of activism is not merely an act of rebellion—it embodies the essence of critical consciousness in our contemporary sociopolitical landscape.
