Stanford bestows free speech policy spot on 'Campus Antifascist Network' co-founder

Stanford University placed Professor David Palumbo-Liu — who co-founded the “Campus Antifascist Network” in 2017 — in charge of its “Committee on Campus Climate, Community, and Speech.”

.@Stanford is literally outsourcing the writing of its free speech policies to Antifa. @palumboliu , who is the founder of the Campus Antifascist Network, a bona fide Antifa group, is now leading the committee on “campus speech.” pic.twitter.com/v6wB4zEAo4

— Stanford College Republicans (@Stanford_GOP) November 17, 2020

According to an email from Stanford University to students, a copy of which Campus Reform obtained, the committee is recruiting students to “help brainstorm and implement changes to help depolarize the campus.” 

Students interested in “making expression, debate, and conversation around ideas and knowledge less encumbered and fraught” were encouraged to apply. Palumbo-Liu was listed in the email as the contact for those interested in the speech committee.

As Campus Reform reported in 2017, Palumbo-Liu co-founded the Campus Antifascist Network (CAN) as a “big tent” for “anyone committed to fighting fascism.”

[RELATED: Profs solicit support for ‘Campus Antifascist Network’]

In his 2017 invitation to join the network, Palumbo-Liu wrote that “fascists have used ‘free speech’ as a facade for attacking faculty who have stood in solidarity with students against the threat that these organizations and individuals pose, and as an excuse to march and organize around slogans drawn directly from “blood and soil” rhetoric of Nazi Germany.”

He also called on college students, faculty, and organizations to start Campus Antifascist Network chapters on their campuses.

Stanford College Republicans President Stephen Sills told Campus Reform that “given Stanford’s already dismal record on freedom of speech, it should come as no surprise that the university has chosen a bona fide domestic terrorist ringleader” to lead its free speech committee.

President Donald Trump has previously expressed interested in labeling Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, a move that former Antifa supporter Gabriel Nadales said is necessary for the government to respond effectively. 

According to Sills, Stanford has “sought to undermine every effort by our group to host conservative speakers so far.” He has “doubt that Palumbo-Liu will do everything in his power to ensure that conservatives on campus are silenced forever, either through school policy or brute force.”

Campus Reform reached out to Palumbo-Liu and Stanford University for comment; this article will be updated accordingly.

Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @BenZeisloft