ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) — Cornell Professor Russell Rickford is on a leave of absence, as supporters gathered over the weekend.
On October 13, Rickford described the Hamas attacks on Israel as ‘exhilarating’ in a public speech on the Commons. His comments were promptly condemned by Cornell President Martha Pollack.
The Ithaca Voice reports a group of roughly 100 supporters of Rickford gathered outside the Cornell Board of Trustees’ meeting Saturday at the Statler Hotel, while nearly three thousand people have signed an online petition showing support for the associate professor of history.
There’s been no further comment from university leaders.
