A Columbia University lecturer is facing backlash after calling Charlie Kirk a dead Nazi in a social media post criticizing the school’s decision to lower flags to half-mast in compliance with a federal directive.
The lecturer, Hadeel Assali, shared an image of graffiti in Los Angeles that read, “2 black men were lynched & the media is mourning a dead Nazi.” Assali added, “And Columbia university has flags at half mast for the dead nazi.”
Assali teaches a seminar on “Race, Climate Change, and Environmental Justice” that emphasizes “anti-colonial approaches to doing science,” according to Columbia’s course catalog. Her post comes as Columbia remains under scrutiny after agreeing to a $221 million settlement with the Trump administration to restore frozen grants and contracts.
A university spokesman confirmed Columbia lowered its flags under federal guidance but declined to comment on Assali’s remarks. “The school follows federal, state and local guidance on the lowering of our flags,” the spokesman said.
The incident follows a broader trend of individuals facing consequences for celebrating or justifying Kirk’s assassination. According to researcher Parker Thayer, more than 100 people have lost jobs in the past week for similar comments, including MSNBC contributor Matthew Dowd and Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah.
Assali has also used her platform to advocate for the “abolition of Israel and Zionism” and described Hamas tunnels as “an essential form of resistance.” Her statements align with her support of Columbia’s Apartheid Divest group, which has pushed the university to reject federal oversight tied to anti-Semitism reforms.
Kirk, shortly before his death, had defended Israel at a debate, saying, “The war started because 1,300 Jews were killed and 200 were taken hostage. When you declare war on Israel, expect a firestorm in reaction.”
