Poster advertising conservative speaker vandalized, University of Iowa conservative group says

A banner advertising an event for the University of Iowa’s Young Americans for Freedom chapter was vandalized on Monday, mere hours after it was put up, the organization said.

Vandals allegedly scribbled “ignorant” on the photo of Ian Haworth who is visiting Iowa City on Oct. 7. The banner was hung on a black fence surrounding Hubbard Park near the Iowa Memorial Union Monday morning, which YAF representatives say was vandalized within two-and-a-half hours.

Haworth is a British-born conservative that YAF’s website describes as a “conservative writer, speaker and podcast host.”

The Young Americans for Freedom released a statement Monday, saying the alleged vandalism “openly call(s) for violence against Jewish students.”

“It is appalling that at a Big Ten University, where tours are happening regularly and the administration promotes ‘inclusion,’ ‘safe spaces,’ and ‘welcoming,’ members of the Hawkeye community still openly call for violence against Jewish students,” the University of Iowa YAF organization said. “Terrorist sympathizers should not be celebrated—they should be held accountable for the hateful, criminal rhetoric they spread.”

YAF President Jasmyn Jordan told the Press-Citizen that she submitted a formal statement to the University of Iowa Police Department and plans to request a meeting with UI President Barbara Wilson “because blatant and deliberate hatred should not be tolerated whatsoever.”

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Graffiti included Palestinian flag and the phrase “Free Palestine”

A Palestinian flag was also drawn next to Haworth’s face and was accompanied by the phrase “Free Palestine.” In small writing, a person allegedly scribbled “From the river to the sea,” a contentious phrase common at pro-Palestinian rallies that demonstrators say is a call for Palestinian freedom.

The American Jewish Committee says the ‘From the river to the sea’ phrase harkens back to Hamas’ 1988 founding document, which called for the destruction of Israel. A U.S. House resolution declaring the phrase antisemitic passed by a 377-44 margin in April.

“(L)eftist groups continue to engage in this behavior without consequence,” YAF’s statement continued. “How can prospective and current students feel safe, included, or welcome when their identities and fundamental beliefs are constantly under attack?”

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Conservative host visiting on anniversary of deadly Hamas attack

The UI chapter of Young Americans for Freedom will welcome Ian Haworth to the Iowa Memorial Union on Monday, Oct. 7.

His talk, titled “October 7: One Year Later – Hamas’s War on Jewish, Christian, American, and Western Values,” will explore how Hamas’ deadly attacks “targeted the foundational values of these groups,” according to a release from the Young Americans. Haworth will “advocate for the release and safe return of hostages taken during the conflict,” “honor the victims of terrorism” and “address the rising threat of antisemitism.”

Haworth previously worked at The Daily Wire, the Ben Shapiro-founded media organization.

“(H)ostage-taking is not a political issue and should never be silenced,” the YAF statement concluded. “By vandalizing our materials and attacking our promotions, these terrorist sympathizers are aligning themselves with the most unethical and immoral groups, whether they realize it or not.”

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YAF regularly hosts conservative speakers

The Young Americans for Freedom chapter at the University of Iowa has hosted several notable conservatives over the past 18 months. They brought in well-known conservative Matt Walsh, Chloe Cole and Vince Everett Ellison as well as former University of Penn swimmer Paula Scanlan. Walsh’s appearance in April 2023, in which he also screened the “What is a Woman” documentary, drew hundreds of protesters to the Iowa Memorial Union and nearby streets.

One protestor was eventually convicted of disorderly conduct following a jury trial in April

More: Protesters gather on Pentacrest in Iowa City as Israel ramps up conflict with Hezbollah

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.