CAIR-NY Concerned about CUNY Law School Cancellation of Student Commencement Speech
Credit: CUNY School of Law
(NEW YORK, NY, 5/23/2024) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed deep concern about the decision by CUNY Law School to cancel its student commencement speech.
Every year, CUNY Law permits a student speaker chosen by their student population to address the graduates and the ceremony audience. The last two years have seen CUNY Law embroiled in controversy for speeches given by Nerdeen Kiswani (2022), and Fatima Mohammed (2023), mainly because they expressed Pro-Palestinian stances. In both instances, CUNY Law School failed to support their students' right to speak freely against external attacks, even when some of those attacks threatened the physical safety of the speakers.
At today's commencement, CUNY Law did not permit any student speaker to address graduates. Invited speakers Deborah Archer, of the ACLU, and Muhammad Faridi, a respected attorney, both withdrew from the event reportedly because of the crackdown on student expression.
SEE: CUNY School of Law Cancels Student Commencement Speech
SEE: CAIR-NY Condemns CUNY Law Censorship of Muslim Student’s Pro-Palestinian Commencement Speech
In a statement, CAIR-NY's Executive Director Afaf Nasher, Esq. said:
“CUNY Law’s decision to cancel its student commencement speech goes against basic principles of free expression and inclusivity of differing viewpoints. This bad decision represents a resounding blow to academic freedom.
“It is shameful to see a school like CUNY Law bowing down to external pressure instead of upholding its tradition as a place for legal activists to grow and challenge themselves and others.
“Speaking about Israeli apartheid and Palestinian human rights is not an exception to freedom of speech. Protecting the rights of students should be a fundamental commitment for higher education across the country.”
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, Esq., Executive Director, anasher@cair.com, 917-669-4006;
Saira Amar, MPA, CAIR-NY, Communications Coordinator, SAmar@cair.com