Jennifer Peace

Petitions calling for Iranian alleged pro-regime “apologist” profs to be removed keep getting pulled down: watchdog 1️⃣ According to AAIRIA, Change.org has repeatedly deleted petitions targeting alleged pro-regime Iranian professors and affiliates at U.S. universities, including George Washington University, Union College, University of Massachusetts Lowell, and the University of Arkansas. 2️⃣ One removed petition called for an “independent and transparent review” of GWU professor Sina Azodi, whom activists accuse of defending the regime’s use of coercive power against protesters and maintaining ties to National Iranian American Council. 3️⃣ Other deleted petitions targeted: 🟥 Leila Khatami: daughter of former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami after reportedly gathering over 80,000 signatures 🟥 Zeinab Hajjarian: daughter of Iranian intelligence figure Saeed Hajjarian 4️⃣ Activists say Change.org has not provided clear explanations for these removals and suspect external pressure, including from universities concerned about reputational and legal exposure. 5️⃣ At the same time, some petitions have had impact: a campaign helped spotlight controversial statements by Shirin Saeidi, who was later suspended and ultimately dismissed. 6️⃣ Another petition raises concerns about a “potential national security threat” involving Shahin Farrokhnia at BlueHalo, citing his role in DoD-related projects and connections to Negar Mortazavi, a former NIAC communications staffer. 7️⃣ AAIRIA’s Lawdan Bazargan warns these removals raise broader concerns about free expression and civil society’s ability to organize around issues tied to foreign influence, antisemitism, and campus climate. 8️⃣ The broader pattern: activists build public pressure through petitions, document alleged influence networks, and then run into opaque moderation decisions on major platforms like Change.org. 9️⃣ Without transparent standards, these removals risk functioning as de facto protection for institutions and individuals, while dissident voices face additional barriers to visibility. 🔟 In an era shaped by transnational repression and political pressure beyond borders, limiting these campaigns doesn’t resolve underlying concerns, it shifts them out of public view. ⸻ 🎯 My Take When a platform built for grassroots mobilization repeatedly removes petitions on politically sensitive issues without clear explanations, it stops looking like neutral infrastructure. Whether the petitions are right or wrong is secondary, the process matters. If claims are weak, they should be challenged publicly. If they’re strong, they deserve scrutiny. Opaque moderation in high-stakes political contexts doesn’t reduce risk, it erodes trust. 📰 New York Post - @nypost ✍️ Isabel Vincent - @isareport Benjamin Weinthal - @BenWeinthal 🔗 nypost.com/2026/04/21/wor… #FireAzodi #StopIRILobby @Change @AAIRIA_Org @ElliottSchoolGW @GWtweets @LawdanBazargan