CAIR-NY Condemns NYU’s Actions Against Faculty Amid Protests Supporting Gaza
Washington, D.C., December 20, 2024 — The New York Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today strongly condemns New York University’s (NYU) decision to bar faculty members from campus buildings following their participation in protests advocating for Palestinian rights in Gaza. These actions, which coincided with the arrest of multiple protesters, represent an alarming suppression of free speech, academic freedom, and peaceful dissent.
Reports indicate that NYU faculty members were denied building access for participating in demonstrations condemning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This punitive response not only undermines the fundamental principles of free expression and academic integrity but also creates a hostile campus environment for faculty, students, and staff advocating for human rights.
“Universities should be spaces where the free exchange of ideas is protected. Speech critical of Israel should not be an exception," said Afaf Nasher, CAIR-NY Executive Director. “By targeting faculty, NYU is sending a dangerous message that undermines academic rigor and basic freedom of speech. Every faculty member, student, and parent of student should be alarmed."
The crackdown on peaceful protests and the barring of faculty access to campus buildings are particularly concerning as they align with broader patterns of silencing voices critical of state violence and oppression. Such actions contradict the core mission of academic institutions to foster dialogue, critical thinking, and social justice.
CAIR-NY calls on NYU to:
Reinstate Faculty Access: Immediately restore building access to all faculty members impacted by this punitive measure.
Uphold Free Speech and Academic Freedom: Commit to protecting the rights of all students, faculty, and staff to engage in peaceful protest and express their views without fear of retaliation.
Address Systemic Bias: Investigate and eliminate policies or practices that disproportionately target individuals advocating for Palestinian rights or protesting against state violence.
In August, CAIR launched its Unhostile Campus Campaign, a project aimed at fostering a campus environment where Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Jewish, and other students, faculty, and staff opposing the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza enjoy free speech and academic freedom and are not subjected to state force or university discipline due to their viewpoints. The campaign designated NYU as an “institution of particular concern in October.
Other hostile campuses designated as “institutions of particular concern” by CAIR include GWU, UCLA, Emory University, Columbia University, UT Austin, Northwestern University, Pomona College, U-Mich, UGA, UChicago, Swarthmore College, Case Western Reserve University, and Portland State University.
Students, staff, and faculty who wish for their university or college campus to be considered as a potential "institution of particular concern" should complete the form linked below.
SEE: Report a Hostile Campus to CAIR
The organization adds in a disclaimer that the new form is intended solely to inform CAIR’s UnHostile Campus Campaign. Students, faculty, and affiliates seeking CAIR’s legal and advocacy services should continue to contact their local office or chapter, or in the event that there is no local chapter, file a formal report with CAIR’s National Civil Rights Department.
CAIR-NY and CAIR reiterate their solidarity with faculty, students, and staff at NYU and across the country who are courageously speaking out for justice in Gaza despite facing intimidation and repression. We urge all academic institutions to honor their responsibility to create environments where the dignity and rights of all community members are respected and upheld.
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-NY on Facebook
Subscribe to CAIR-NY's Email List
Subscribe to CAIR-NY's Twitter Feed
Subscribe to CAIR-NY’s YouTube Channel
Do you like reading CAIR-NY's press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR-NY's work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR-NY's advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR-NY.
END
CONTACT:
Afaf Nasher, Executive Director, CAIR-NY, ANasher@cair.com