Stu Smith at StuStuStudios captured this message from a Virginia Commonwealth University student stating objections to VCU’s recent tightening of codes of conduct. The young woman is upset that the new rules will inhibit pro-Palestinian students from exercising their right to free speech by interfering with the rights of others to go about their business, although she doesn’t put it quite that way.

Here’s my favorite part: “Last May students wrote messages in support of Palestine, passed out flyers demanding VCU’s disclosure and divestment from Israel, and distributed masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

She neglected to mention that student protesters also set up a tent encampment and resisted arrest. But let that pass. Does anyone believe that the motive for passing out masks was to prevent the spread of COVID-19? As we used to say back in my college days, har de har har.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane.

Here’s a photo of VCU students during the George Floyd protests — back when the COVID-19 epidemic was raging and people were ordered to wear masks to stop the spread.

Look, ma, no masks!

Young lady, you can say whatever you want to say about the situation in Palestine, but please don’t re-write history here in Virginia. There’s only one reason students wore masks back in May, and it wasn’t fear of COVID-19.

— JAB