Temple University Students Vow to 'Destroy the United States'

Student group calls for dismantling US through activism and undermining state power.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

During a webinar celebrating the birthday of convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal, leaders of the Temple University chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, made incendiary statements calling for the destruction of the United States through activism and undermining state power.

Why it matters

The comments from student activists highlight growing radicalization on college campuses, with some groups openly espousing anti-American and pro-violence rhetoric. This raises concerns about the influence of extremist ideologies on impressionable students and the potential for such views to lead to real-world actions against the government and public safety.

The details

At the April 2025 webinar, SJP president Rishi Arun said 'It is our job to destroy imperialism, to destroy the United States [...] by organizing in a manner that actively undermines and destabilizes the legitimacy and the power of the state.' Mohammed Khatib, the Europe coordinator of Samidoun, added 'If Palestine is liberated, this is a nail to dismantle the United States of America.' Another student activist, Bina, celebrated 'victories' like when 'a red triangle goes above an Israeli soldier's head, and a pig gets iced' - referring to killing Israeli soldiers and police officers.

  • The webinar was held on April 24, 2025 to celebrate the 71st birthday of Mumia Abu-Jamal.

The players

Rishi Arun

President of the Temple University chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).

Mohammed Khatib

Europe coordinator of the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, a U.S.- and Canada-designated terrorist organization.

Bina

A student activist who celebrated violent acts against Israeli soldiers and police.

Mumia Abu-Jamal

A convicted cop killer serving a prison sentence, who was praised by the webinar participants as a freedom movement leader.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network

A U.S.- and Canada-designated terrorist organization that organized the webinar and was described by the U.S. Treasury as a 'sham charity' used to raise funds for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It is our job to destroy imperialism, to destroy the United States [...] by organizing in a manner that actively undermines and destabilizes the legitimacy and the power of the state.”

— Rishi Arun, President, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Temple University

“If Palestine is liberated, this is a nail to dismantle the United States of America.”

— Mohammed Khatib, Europe Coordinator, Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network

“We know it is a victory when a red triangle goes above an Israeli soldier's head, and a pig gets iced. We know that is a victory.”

— Bina, Student Activist

The takeaway

The radical rhetoric and calls for violence from student activists at Temple University raise serious concerns about the growing influence of extremist ideologies on college campuses. This highlights the need for universities to closely monitor and address such concerning behavior to protect public safety and uphold democratic values.