Two months ago, The Miami Herald exposed hundreds of racist, sexist and antisemitic messages—including some discussion of black genocide—that were exchanged in a WhatsApp group chat made up of mostly conservative students.
CHUYN/iStock/Getty Images
Two former College Republican leaders at Florida International University who were involved in a group discussion called “Nazi Heaven” will not be allowed to set foot on campus for two years, The Miami Herald report on Wednesday.
The suspension comes after two months Herald exposed hundreds of racist, sexist and antisemitic messages—including some discussion of black genocide—that were exchanged in a WhatsApp group chat made up of mostly conservative students.
After the news, FIU officials said the university “will not tolerate violence, hatred, bigotry, harassment, racism or bigotry.” However, the members of the discussion did not find immediate results in the community, which led some students to accuse the president of FIU Jeanette Nuñez of using a “double standard,” because the university charged some students with violating the institution’s ethics by peacefully protesting FIU’s relationship with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Last week, FIU issued two-year suspensions to Abel Carvajal, the group’s co-founder and third-year law student, and Dariel Gonzalez, who was the chair of the FIU College Republicans at the time of the group chat’s leak.
The university found Carvajal responsible for “an affirmative action that facilitates, attempts, encourages, conceals, or facilitates” violations of the student code of conduct. At the time, Gonzalez was suspended for violating the code of conduct by making “verbal or written harassment, threats, intimidation and/or coercion that endangers the health, safety or welfare of others” as well as driving under the influence of alcohol and smoking marijuana on campus.
The two students are now banned from campus and from all university-sponsored events until May 2028, when they can reapply for admission.
Even before the suspension, Carvajal and Gonzalez sued FIU’s president, claiming the university violated their right to free speech. However, The Miami Herald reported that Chief District Judge Cecilia Altonaga dismissed their free appeal last week because the sentencing and appeals are pending. The students are now appealing the decision to the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.
The students’ attorney, Anthony Sabatini—a Republican congressman—said the banned students will file their appeals again in district court once the appeals process is complete. Sabatini also represents the College Republicans at the University of Florida, who are suing the university for shutting down their organization after a member was seen on video giving a Nazi salute.
