Claire King

Claire Sisco King is Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Chair of the Cinema and Media Arts program at Vanderbilt University.

Open Letter to Vanderbilt University Regarding Student Suspension

Claire King signed a letter, titled "An Open Letter from Faculty to the Vanderbilt Administration regarding the suspended student activists and freedom of expression on campus" in April, 2024 demanding the reinstatement of students who were arrested and suspended after protesting Israel. "Several Vanderbilt University students have been expelled, one has been suspended, and more than 20 have been placed on probation after last month’s rowdy demonstration protesting the administration’s removal of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) initiative."

From the Vanderbilt Hustler:

"Around 21.5 hours after it began, the sit-in inside Kirkland Hall over students’ ability to vote on the VSG BDS amendment ended at approximately 6:34 a.m. CDT. Two students left at various times last night due to medical or family emergencies, while the remaining 25 students forcibly left — with three being arrested — this morning after being woken up and escorted out by VUPD officers.

The email included a link to a video showing security footage from this morning when protestors initially entered the building. In the video, an officer unlocks and slightly opens a door to speak to protesters. After a moment, one protester pulls the door open widely. A Community Service Officer attempts to block the entrance by spreading his arms across the doorway. Students push against the officer to enter the building. The CSO wraps his arms around multiple students’ chests and shoulders to attempt to prevent them from entering. A few students push the officer into the building, permitting other students to enter. The officer continues to grab onto students even after they enter the building.

"Support Bill Ayers"

In October 2008, several thousand college professors, students and academic staff signed a statement Support Bill Ayers in solidarity with former Weather Underground Organization terrorist Bill Ayers.

In the run up to the U.S. presidential elections, Ayers had come under considerable media scrutiny, sparked by his relationship to presidential candidate Barack Obama.

We write to support our colleague Professor William Ayers, Distinguished Professor of Education and Senior University Scholar at the University of Illinois at Chicago, who is currently under determined and sustained political attack...

We, the undersigned, stand on the side of education as an enterprise devoted to human inquiry, enlightenment, and liberation. We oppose the demonization of Professor William Ayers.

Claire King of Indiana University signed the statement.