The American Public Health Association (APHA) has barred public health leader Amy Hagopian from APHA meetings and removed her from her elected position after she engaged in a silent, peaceful protest against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza in 2024. The protest occurred at APHA’s annual meeting, after the organization’s governing council declined to consider a statement promoting a ceasefire in the war on Gaza.
Roughly three-dozen protestors wore red latex gloves to symbolize “blood on their hands.” Some APHA officials claimed that the “red hands” created an environment of antisemitic intimidation, though the symbol has been widely used in human rights protests.
Last month, the APHA Governance Committee upheld sanctions against Hagopian. More than 400 public health professionals have signed a letter supporting Hagopian.
Hagopian wrote for Academe Blog: “I was informed my American Public Health Association membership has been revoked, my annual meeting registration cancelled, and I am barred from attending any APHA meetings for two years. I was also stripped of my elected leadership position as chair of the International Health Section. My offense? Advocating (too much) for the health of Palestinians in Gaza.”
She added: “I am devastated that advocating for the health and lives of Palestinians––which our own Code of Ethics requires––has been characterized as a violation of our new Code of Conduct.”
AMY HAGOPIAN; [email protected]
Hagopian is Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Public Health, where she taught for 35 years.
Valerie Pacino ([email protected]) and Cindy Sousa ([email protected]), both members of the APHA, are also available for interviews.
A press release states that Hagopian’s case is part of a troubling pattern across academic and professional associations, including the American Historical Association and the Modern Language Association. The case also “raises serious questions about academic freedom and due process in professional associations.”