ACF Calls for Accountability After Disruption of Northwestern October 7 Play

ACF Calls for Accountability After Disruption of Northwestern October 7 Play

Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF) is closely monitoring an incident that disrupted a performance of October 7: In Their Words hosted by Northwestern Hillel at Cahn Auditorium on October 6.

The play is based entirely on accounts from survivors and witnesses of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks. Partway through the performance, a fire alarm sounded, prompting the evacuation of the auditorium. According to co-author Ann McElhinney, the performance was disrupted by someone setting off the alarm. Audience members were later readmitted following security checks, and the cast returned to complete the performance.

Northwestern University and the Northwestern University Police Department (NUPD) are investigating the cause of the alarm, including whether it was deliberately triggered to disrupt the performance. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Hate Crimes Unit has also been made aware of the incident and is encouraging witnesses to file police reports.

The incident comes as Northwestern remains under a three-year Resolution Agreement with the federal government that requires the university to prohibit and enforce against “any disruption, prevention, obstruction, or attempt to prevent or obstruct” university or public events. If investigators determine that the alarm was deliberately triggered to disrupt the performance, that conduct would directly implicate the university’s obligations under the agreement.

ACF will be watching for the findings of those investigations, whether anyone found responsible is held accountable under applicable conduct policies, and whether Northwestern appropriately reports the incident through the compliance mechanisms established under its agreement.

About ACF: Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF) leverages the unique power of alumni to combat antisemitism on college campuses. ACF helps organize and cultivate alumni chapters for colleges and universities across the country, equipping members with tools, tactics, and training to proactively engage with administrators. Learn more at www.campusfairness.org.