The ATC editors
Posted September 17, 2025
SOLIDARITY, A SOCIALIST, feminist and and anti-racist organization — and sponsor of the journal AGAINST THE CURRENT — demands the reinstatement of Professor Thomas Alter at Texas State University. Professor Alter, a tenured historian, was fired in the absence of any due process after being attacked online by a far-right media influencer. The false claim was made that he advocated political violence in a 7 September online political meeting unrelated to the university. His remarks at this event were surreptitiously recorded, then selectively edited and shared on social media.
The firing took place without giving Professor Alter the opportunity to present his version of the events. We regard this as an outrageous violation of Professor Alter’s first amendment rights and academic freedom.
Professor Alter is supported by Texas AAUP/AFT. The Texas State Employees Union has released a petition in support of Tom.
Professor Alter has filed a lawsuit seeking reinstatement. Students continue to protest on his behalf.
Hear a Left Reckoning interview with Tom Alter and read an article from The Texas Tribune on his case.
See a statement by Socialist Horizon.
From the ADARA boat of the Global Sumud Flotilla, we say: Reinstate Professor Tom Alter now!
“We, the undersigned crew of the Adara, one of the ships sailing to Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, demand the immediate reinstatement of Dr. Tom Alter, professor of History at Texas State University and member of Socialist Horizon, who was summarily dismissed by the president of that state university, Kelly Damphousse, for expressing his opinions in a virtual conference in solidarity with the struggles taking place in the US from a socialist perspective, which had no connection whatsoever with the university.
“A far-right provocateur, who calls herself a fascist, infiltrated the conference, recorded excerpts from it, and posted a video of Tom. That video is what the university president used to fire Alter without questioning or investigating, without considering its validity, without any guarantees, and in violation of current state law and university policy, which requires a formal due process procedure.
“This attack on freedom of expression and assembly is intolerable; it is not only an attack on Tom, but on all of us.
“From this humanitarian mission, which is sailing to Gaza with the aim of opening a humanitarian corridor and denouncing the genocide being carried out by Israel, we stand in solidarity with Tom and demand his reinstatement, as well as an end to the persecution.”
Other ways to help:
Sign this petition demanding Alter be given his job back.
Donate to help Alter and his family with living and legal expenses.
Write to and call the President Kelly Damphousse and Provost Pranesh Aswath at Texas State University demanding that Alter be given his job back:
President Kelly Damphousse president@txstate.edu
President’s Office Phone: 512-245-2121
Provost Pranesh Aswath: xrk25@txstate.edu
Provost Office Phone: 512-245-2205
Leave a Reply