CAIR-NY Condemns Columbia University, NYPD Actions Against Peaceful Protesters
(NEW YORK, NY, 4/18/2024) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, condemns Columbia University for calling on the NYPD to disperse peaceful protesters condemning the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
The NYPD’s Strategic Response Group (SRG) appeared at the scene with riot gear, and reportedly arrested numerous peaceful protesters. The situation is unfolding, and CAIR-NY is unaware of how many protesters have been arrested at the time of this release.
In a statement, Sr. Lamya Agarwala, CAIR-NY Supervising Attorney said:
“Less than 48 hours since Columbia's president testified on Capitol Hill that she would do 'whatever is necessary to ensure the safety' of students on campus, the school is allowing the notoriously violent SRG to storm in.
“CAIR-NY urges Columbia University to uphold students’ ability to engage in peaceful protest and expression without fear of repercussion or violence at the hands of the NYPD. NYPD’s SRG is notorious for escalating peaceful protests and violently arresting individuals, making it more egregious that Columbia University would put its students and protesters in harm's way.
“Additionally, Columbia's deplorable decision to suspend students for peaceful protests is an affront to academic freedom. It also jeopardizes these students’ basic livelihoods, security, and prospect of academic success simply for engaging in crucial public discourse that the University claims to value and protect.
“This incident is only the most recent in a trend of troubling actions by both Columbia University and the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group.”
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.
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CONTACT:
Lamya Agarwala, Esq., Supervising Attorney, LAgarwala@cair.com
Saira Amar, MPA, CAIR-NY, Communications Coordinator, SAmar@cair.com