Pro-Hamas protestors on the campus of MIT were warned that if they didn’t disperse–they were violating campus policies that prohibited interfering with academic activities and the free movement of students and staff–they would be suspended. The protestors were warned several times and failed to disperse.

Jewish students were prevented from entering the campus through the main entrance and were rerouted.

The administration promised to suspend students who continued to violate their policies because “a line had been crossed.” Tonight, the administration backed down from their promise. They have shown that actions against Jews at MIT do not have consequences pic.twitter.com/AoCopuRv5d

— David Koplow (@David_Koplow) November 10, 2023

Once the protestors finally dispersed the administration decided to not follow through on their threats to punish the students for violating the policies of the school.

It was a bit of a surprise because MIT President Kornbluth seemed ready to follow through on her threat.

So why didn’t she?

Today’s protest – which became disruptive, loud and sustained through the morning hours – was organized and conducted in defiance of those MIT guidelines and policies. Some students from both the protest and counterprotest may have violated other MIT policies, as well.

In late morning, the face-to-face confrontation between the protesters and counterprotesters intensified. We had serious concerns that it could lead to violence. To prevent further escalation and protect the physical safety of everyone present – including both student protesters and passers-by in our busiest lobby – the administration felt it was essential to take action.

After exhausting all other avenues for de-escalating the situation, we informed all protesters that they must leave the lobby area within a set time, or they would be subject to suspension. Many chose to leave, and I appreciate their cooperation. Some did not. Members of my team have been in dialogue with students all day. Because we later heard serious concerns about collateral consequences for the students, such as visa issues, we have decided, as an interim action, that the students who remained after the deadline will be suspended from non-academic campus activities. The students will remain enrolled at MIT and will be able to attend academic classes and labs. We will refer this interim action to the Ad Hoc Complaint Response Team, which includes the chair of the Committee on Discipline, for final adjudication.

Note that MIT has also received additional complaints about conduct by individual protesters and counterprotesters, and will be following up on those promptly.

In other words, a substantial fraction of the students shouting for Intifada and creating chaos and danger on campus weren’t US citizens or permanent residents. They were guests in the United States.

Nice to know that we are importing such people into the country and that MIT is so worried about them that they are allowed to run riot on their campus and in our country.

This is the modern West. The rules only apply to some people, while anybody near the top of the intersectional ladder gets a pass.

Let’s be clear: nobody at MIT could be considered a member of an oppressed class. They are in the 1% of the 1% of the 1%. An MIT degree is a ticket to the top of the economic ladder, and chances are you are close to being there already.

Earlier this week, I argued that barbarism is winning, and I did so because nobody in the Western elites seems willing to defend our culture, our values, or even our bodies when threatened by people who claim victimhood.

Being a self-professed victim is a demand to be embraced for victimizing others. And the demands are regularly met.

It’s time to enforce the rules. Arrest rioters in the streets. Kick students who break the rules out of the college. Deport the antisemites who are eligible.

Everybody has a right to free speech, but that doesn’t mean that you can do whatever you want in service of expressing your opinions.

If you cross the line into breaking the rules or the law, you should face the consequences.