The escalation of violence in relation to the Minneapolis ICE protests suggests that more violence may well occur. I have noted many social posts stating that the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti were deserved because they were agitators, if not domestic terrorists. As our Board of Regents President, Sherry Bates, said in relation to Charlie Kirk’s death: “Posts like the ones we saw last week are offensive, inappropriate, and above all, unacceptable. We expect more from those who work at our institutions. Violence is never the answer to solving problems, no matter how much people disagree, and supporting a violent act is as bad as the act itself.” In a letter to the Board, Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, who chairs the committee on higher education, and Republican Sen. Lynn Evans, who chairs the committee on education, said “multiple university employees publicly celebrated (Kirk’s) killing online” and should be fired for it.
I have family and friends, as well as more than a few students in my classes, who are from the Minneapolis area, and who are being increasingly traumatized by the escalating violence. I am sure that many of my fellow employees are aware of Iowa State University’s Free Speech Social Media “freedom of expression” section, which states that under some circumstances, the university can act to “prevent harm to the university, our campus community, and its mission.” For these reasons, I would like to make the following request to my fellow ISU employees:
For the well-being of ISU, students and yourself, please refrain from personal posts on social media that could be viewed as support for, or justification of, the violent actions that have been taken and may very well continue to be taken by federal agents in Minneapolis.
Violence is the most deadly disease known to mankind. It spreads like wildfire, it infects for generations and it destroys those exposed to its poison, as well as those it infects.
Thank you for the time you took to read this letter, and for any consideration you might give to my request.
Peter Sherman, Associate Professor
Departments of AERE and STAT
