University of Florida College Republicans Sue School Over Chapter Deactivation After Alleged Antisemitic Gesture
The University of Florida College Republicans filed a federal lawsuit on March 17, 2026, seeking to block the chapter’s deactivation and restore campus access, arguing UF punished the group solely for an individual member’s alleged antisemitic gesture—a viral photo reportedly showing a Nazi‑style salute—without policy basis, notice, or opportunity to respond and that the action unlawfully chills their speech. UF, citing a notification from the Florida Federation of College Republicans that it had disbanded the chapter for a pattern of rule‑violating conduct including an antisemitic gesture, declined substantive comment because of pending litigation, while the chapter says it is affiliated with College Republicans of America (not FFCR) and attorneys including Anthony Sabatini are pursuing an emergency injunction as national GOP figures warn intra‑party doxxing and infighting are damaging.
📌 Key Facts
- On March 17, 2026, the University of Florida College Republicans filed a federal lawsuit against interim president Donald Landry seeking to block enforcement of the chapter’s deactivation and to restore access to campus facilities.
- The complaint argues UF deactivated the group solely in response to an individual member’s alleged antisemitic viewpoint, without any university policy basis, notice, or opportunity for the chapter to present its side, and frames the action as an unlawful crackdown on free speech intended to silence the club and chill its future speech.
- UF said it acted after receiving notification from the Florida Federation of College Republicans (FFCR) that FFCR had disbanded the local chapter for a “pattern of conduct” violating FFCR rules and values, “including a recent antisemitic gesture”; UF spokeswoman Cynthia Roldan Hernandez declined substantive comment, citing pending litigation.
- Reports say the triggering image was a viral photo of a UFCR member allegedly performing a Nazi salute; one report said that photo was sent by a journalist to “the FBI and others.”
- The local UF College Republicans publicly asserted they are not part of FFCR but are affiliated with College Republicans of America and that FFCR has “no authority” over their chapter.
- Attorney and Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini said the plaintiffs are seeking an emergency preliminary injunction and called UF’s justification a “false pretext” meant to silence the club.
- College Republicans of America Chairman William Donahue urged Republicans to stop “doxxing one another,” warning that intra‑party fights are damaging the GOP’s broader agenda.
📊 Relevant Data
The University of Florida has approximately 6,500 Jewish undergraduate students, representing about 19.1% of the total undergraduate enrollment of 34,102 students.
University of Florida - Hillel International — Hillel International
In 2024-2025, a record 2,334 antisemitic incidents were reported on US college campuses, with a drop in violent attacks but high overall levels, primarily linked to anti-Israel activism following October 7, 2023.
US campuses see record levels of antisemitism, but drop in violent attacks — The Times of Israel
Among elite US college students, Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 55-23 margin, and liberals outnumber conservatives 53-21, indicating a significant partisan imbalance on campuses.
Diverse and Divided: A Political Demography of American Elite Students — Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology
In a 2025 survey, 39% of Republican college students felt comfortable expressing their opinions on campus, compared to 54% of Democrat students and 36% of others, highlighting disparities in perceived free speech comfort by political affiliation.
Less Than Half of Students Are Comfortable Sharing Opinions on Campus — BestColleges
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Details that the triggering image was a viral photo of a UFCR member allegedly performing a Nazi salute, reportedly sent by a journalist to 'the FBI and others'.
- UF’s public statement specified that FFCR said some local College Republicans engaged in 'a pattern of conduct' violating FFCR rules and values, 'including a recent antisemitic gesture.'
- UFCR publicly asserted that they are not part of FFCR but instead are members of College Republicans of America, and that FFCR has 'no authority' over their chapter.
- Attorney and Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini stated they are seeking an emergency preliminary injunction and called UF’s justification a 'false pretext' meant to silence the club and chill its future speech.
- College Republicans of America Chairman William Donahue weighed in, urging Republicans to stop 'doxxing one another' and warning that intra‑party fights are damaging the GOP’s broader agenda.
- The University of Florida College Republicans filed a federal lawsuit on March 17, 2026 against interim president Donald Landry seeking to block enforcement of the chapter’s deactivation and restore access to campus facilities.
- The suit argues UF deactivated the group solely in response to an individual member’s alleged antisemitic viewpoint, without any university policy basis, notice, or opportunity for the chapter to present its side.
- The complaint frames the university’s action as an unlawful crackdown on free speech by punishing the club for viewpoints and attempting to 'silence the club and chill its future speech.'
- UF spokeswoman Cynthia Roldan Hernandez declined substantive comment, citing pending litigation, reiterating only that UF was acting on notification from the Florida Federation of College Republicans that it had disbanded the chapter for a pattern of rule‑violating conduct including an antisemitic gesture.