The University of Florida confirms that its College Republicans chapter has been disbanded by the Florida Federation of College Republicans amid controversy over “a recent antisemitic gesture.”

The gesture appears to have been from a member on a recent streaming platform making an Adolf Hitler style salute. UF’s statement does not specify though.

“The University of Florida has emphatically supported its Jewish community and remains committed to preventing and addressing antisemitism and other forms of discrimination and harassment that are threatening and disruptive to our students and to the teaching, research and expressive activities of the campus community. The university also supports the rights of organizations, such as the FFCR, to take decisive action in addressing conduct that is antithetical to its principles,” UF asserts.

Earlier this month, the UF College Republicans’ group hosted gubernatorial candidate James Fishback, who has made messaging against Israel central to his campaign, and claims it was the largest rally on campus in a decade.

UFCR said Saturday that the University erroneously “cited the FFCR, an organization that we are not a part of that has no authority over our chapter.”

Legal action is coming.

“We look forward to the University reinstating our club and correcting this statement. We have retained counsel and have received information that this is not the first time that FFCR has lied to silence christian conservative groups on campus.”

Former state legislator Anthony Sabatini alleges “viewpoint discrimination.” Sabatini, an attorney, says he “will be filing a First Amendment retaliation lawsuit under Section 1983 Monday morning against UF seeking an injunction.”

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