Weber State Professor Accused of Inciting Violence on Twitter Resigns, Again
Jun 30, 2020, 5:59 PM | Updated: 7:19 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Weber State University professor who came under fire for controversial tweets during a Salt Lake City protest over the death of George Floyd has resigned for a second time, and this time it is final.
WSU released a statement Wednesday that said, “Weber State University can confirm that criminal justice professor Scott Senjo has permanently separated from the university after resigning. He is no longer employed. The university considers this matter resolved, ending processes that were set in motion on June 1.”
“I recognize that the emotional toll of the last several weeks lingers. This situation has also provided an opportunity for self- reflection; to consider who we are, what we stand for and what we value,” said university president Brad Mortensen. “We are an institution of higher education. We strive to create a diverse and inclusive university where all feel welcome. We condemn language that promotes violence, diminishes individuals or makes people feel unsafe. At the same time, we value an individual’s right to freedom of expression whether or not we agree with perspectives they share.”
The university placed Senjo on administrative leave on June 1. Two days later, Senjo announced the university ordered him to resign because of “irresponsible tweeting activity.”
That announcement was followed by a back-and-forth between Senjo and the university on whether he was forced to resign. On June 16, Senjo rescinded his resignation.
Senjo’s tweets drew attention following a Floyd demonstration in Salt Lake City that turned violent. After Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall announced a curfew, Senjo tweeted, “See what you get for pandering to those disgusting losers? They’re not homeless Erin. You got what you deserve, idiot. You arrest them. Arrest.”
In another post, a woman raised the question if a female protester would have been shot for resisting arrest if she was Black, to which Senjo replied, “If the woman who got arrested in that park was Black, and got shot, gosh maybe she should’ve avoided the park. Duh.”
