SUMMARY: Robin Westman, 23, opened fire with a rifle through stained-glass windows at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, killing two children and injuring 15 others during Mass. Westman, a former student obsessed with mass killings, left behind videos and writings expressing hatred toward nearly every group except mass murderers. Armed with multiple firearms, he died by suicide. Authorities found no clear motive but noted his deranged fascination with violence. The FBI labeled the attack domestic terrorism motivated by hate. Westman’s gender identity was reportedly transgender. Police and teachers acted heroically to protect children. Survivors and families are grappling with trauma and loss.

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by Caroline Sweet, Missouri Independent
August 28, 2025

Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine filed a lawsuit Wednesday in federal court challenging its exclusion from last year’s Homecoming parade.

The lawsuit was filed against University of Missouri System President Mun Choi. It claims he violated students’ First Amendment rights by barring the group from participating in the parade because of their views on Palestine and Israel.

At a news conference and rally Wednesday afternoon in conjunction with the legal action, an attorney from the Council on American-Islamic Relations said free speech is not subject to the “whims” of the university president’s personal beliefs.

“Public universities cannot open events for the public for expression like they did with the Homecoming parade, then filter which viewpoints they want expressed at these events,” said attorney Ahmad Kaki, who is providing legal counsel for the organization.

Just ahead of the Mizzou Homecoming celebration in October 2024, Choi sent an email to the student group that banned them from participating in the parade.

In the email to the organization, Choi declared that his decision was based on “significant disturbances” that have occurred at Students for Justice in Palestine events around the country.

Choi said he was also concerned about previous activity in Speakers Circle that involved a heated argument.

“The issue is the safety of the event,” said Mizzou spokesperson Christopher Ave at the time. “Let me remind you, thousands of people come to a relatively small space in close quarters to participate in and watch the parade, and we felt that the best decision moving forward would be to move on without the group’s participation, given what we have seen across the country.”

A spokesperson for Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine said the local group was not affiliated with any national movement.

The group said in a statement at the time that it was “extremely disheartened” by Choi’s decision.

“It serves as a reflection of the constant marginalization and dismissal of the Palestinian cause, culture and overall existence,” the statement read.

According to the lawsuit, the student group had planned to showcase a traditional Palestinian dance and hand out Palestinian sweets and bracelets at the parade. Members of the organization also planned to march with banners reading “Ceasefire Now” and “Stop the Genocide.”

Ave declined a request for an interview Wednesday but said in a written statement that the university would defend its decision in the lawsuit.

The university’s statement repeated that the decision was made because of safety concerns involving other Palestine-affiliated organizations.

In addition to violating the First Amendment, the lawsuit claims Mizzou created a limited public forum with topics identified by the university. The group claims its participation fell within the boundaries of university policy.

The lawsuit is asking for declaratory relief that the group’s exclusion was unconstitutional under the First Amendment and seeks to enjoin the university from prohibiting the group from participating in the 2025 Homecoming parade.

The lawsuit is also asking for compensatory and nominal damages for violating its rights and the costs associated with its Homecoming preparations.

The former president of the group, Isleen Atallah, said during the news conference that the organization has already filed an application to participate in the 2025 Homecoming parade.

This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online.

Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.

The post Palestinian student group files suit over exclusion from University of Missouri homecoming parade appeared first on missouriindependent.com

Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Left

The content presents a narrative focused on free speech rights and challenges to institutional decisions perceived as marginalizing a Palestinian student group. It highlights concerns about discrimination and advocates for the inclusion of a politically sensitive cause, aligning with progressive values on civil liberties and minority rights. However, it maintains a factual tone without overtly partisan language, placing it slightly left of center.

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