CAIR-NY Strongly Denounces Columbia U. Punitive Sanctions Against Student Protesters
(NEW YORK, NY, 3/14/2025) - The New York Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today strongly denounced Columbia University’s punitive sanctions taken against anti-genocide student demonstrators.
SEE: Columbia University punishes pro-Palestinian protesters who occupied building
SEE: Columbia Imposes Harsh Sanctions for Student Protesters
Columbia’s punishment included degree revocation, suspension, and expulsion of twenty-two students for participating in the occupation of Hamilton Hall in April 2024. Hamilton Hall was renamed “Hind Hall” by the protesters, in memory of six-year-old Hind Rajab who was murdered by Israeli forces in January 2024.
Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director stated:
“In doling out this latest round of punishments against ant-genocide protesters, Columbia University once again affirms its deep betrayal of its students and its own reputation. No longer will Columbia University be regarded as a campus for academic rigor and student life; instead, it will be seen as an amoral, repressive puppet bowing to the agenda of those who strip freedoms for vindictive agendas.”
CAIR-NY has previously released statements against the oppressive tactics used against students, and yesterday announced a lawsuit against Columbia University and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Workforce for the disclosure of student records.
SEE: CAIR-NY Condemns Columbia University, NYPD Actions Against Peaceful Protesters
In May, CAIR released ‘Hostile’: How Universities Target Anti-Genocide Protesters, detailing unprecedented efforts across the country to suppress students from advocating for Palestinians. 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. Since then, CAIR has designated Columbia University colleges and universities as hostile due to their creation of a thoroughly hostile and dangerous environment for anti-genocide students.
SEE: Council on American-Islamic Relations names Columbia a ‘hostile’ campus for pro-Palestinian students
Students, staff, and faculty who wish for their university or college campus to be potentially designated as a hostile campus should complete the ‘Report a Hostile Campus’ form. This form is intended solely to inform CAIR’s ‘UnHostile Campus Campaign.’ Individuals seeking CAIR’s legal and advocacy services should contact their local office or chapter, or if there is no local chapter, file a formal report with CAIR’s National Civil Rights Department.
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:
Afaf Nasher, Esq., Executive Director, anasher@cair.com, 917-669-4006;
CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com