Former DePaul Security Guard Claims He Was Fired for Supporting Palestinian Students

A former security guard at DePaul University is speaking out, claiming he lost his job for being “too friendly” to Palestinian students on campus.

Terrance Freeman, who was employed through a third-party security company contracted by the university, addressed the public at a press conference on Thursday, surrounded by supporters. He alleged that DePaul administrators dismissed him after he appeared in a photo with Palestinian students shortly after a pro-Palestinian encampment was cleared by Chicago police in May.

According to Freeman, university officials expressed concern over how the photo might be perceived by pro-Israel students.

“I noticed when I was here that DePaul University wanted me to essentially choose sides,” Freeman stated. “To me, they’re saying this is not the time to choose sides. If we’re going to choose a side in society, then we must choose the side of righteousness.”

When contacted for comment, DePaul University clarified that Freeman was not directly employed by the school but rather by an external security firm. In a statement, the university emphasized its commitment to campus safety and inclusivity.

“The individual was working for an outside security company contracted with DePaul, and he is no longer assigned to our campus,” the statement read. “The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is a top priority at DePaul. Staff continue to work closely with our student groups to hear and respond to their concerns while ensuring DePaul remains a welcoming space for our diverse university community.”

Freeman’s dismissal comes amid heightened tensions on college campuses across the country regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His case has sparked debate about freedom of expression and how institutions handle politically charged issues.