Film Professor Thomas Hayes allegedly removed from role as instructor of his course

This story is ongoing and will be updated as The New Political receives more information.

Students for Justice in Palestine posted a video alleging that Ohio University Film Professor Thomas Hayes was removed from his role as instructor of his course following his participation in a flotilla mission to Gaza.

Hayes has been an outspoken supporter of Palestine in the past, participating in various forms of protest alongside Students for Justice in Palestine and other organizations. 

According to Students for Justice in Palestine and recent reporting by The Post, Hayes participated in an attempt to deliver aid to Gaza via the Freedom Flotilla, an effort that included 90 prominent activists, including Greta Thunberg. On Wednesday, Oct. 8, he was taken by the Israel Defense Forces along with other activists to Ketziot Prison, an Israeli detention center. He returned to campus last Wednesday. The video posted by Students for Justice in Palestine alleges that he was then removed from his position as instructor of his course.

Since the video was posted, it has over a thousand likes. Ohio University has not officially responded to the matter or officially disclosed his removal as an instructor. At the time of publication, his biography can still be found on Ohio University’s website. 

Developments in this story will be updated here and discussed in subsequent articles as The New Political receives more information.