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After opposition, Rutgers cancels speech by journalist

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After opposition by a section of students, Rutgers University postponed a speech by Lisa Daftari, editor-in-chief of The Foreign Desk, Daily Targum reported
University spokesperson Neal Buccino said Rutgers had decided to postpone the lecture.
Daftari, a regular on Fox News as an on-air political analyst, was the subject of a change.org petition started earlier this week by School of Arts and Sciences senior and co-president of RU Progressive Adeel Ahmed, who created it in protest of her speaking event titled ‘Radicalism on College Campuses.’
The petition currently has more than 1,600 signatures. It calls her an Islamophobe
In a tweet, Daftari said, ‘let’s be clear- this was not a 'postponement'- that is public relations talk for a cowardly cancellation. (Rutgers) told me the event was canceled.’
In an email to The Targum, Daftari said it was the University’s decision to call off the event. ‘I was very much looking forward to going back to my alma mater to speak on issues that affect all students on campus. The irony being that I was supposed to address the freedom of speech on campus and was instead, silenced. This was very upsetting. The campaign launched against me was unethical and defamatory. Most of all it was a big loss for Rutgers students and for free speech,’ she said.

See the petition

Stop Islamophobe Lisa Daftari from Coming to Speak at Rutgers Paid By Our University Funds

Lisa Daftari, an unapologetic Islamophobe, is coming to speak at Rutgers on October 16 using our university funds, paid by us- the students.

In a speech at The Heritage Foundation, Daftari remarked “Islamic terror takes its guidance and teachings from the Quran, which is Sharia law.” She went on to say, “When you go to the mosque and you’re part of a community, and you want to feel important and relevant, and want to give back to the cause -- [ISIS] recruits you. You say- I can be an ISIS wife.” This statement, equating Muslims everywhere with ISIS, is undoubtedly hate-mongering. This is only a small sample of the type of harmful rhetoric Daftari has advanced and shared on various media platforms.

Sign this petition to tell the university that we will not have this bigot come and speak at Rutgers. Sign this petition to tell Rutgers that we will not have our hard-earned tuition dollars be spent for bringing this bigot to speak at Rutgers.

Rutgers is an environment of cultural and religious diversity first before anything, Lisa Daftari is everything against that.