Current and former students are suing the University of Michigan, alleging that the school targeted and unfairly disciplined pro-Palestinian students involved in campus protests. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, accuses the university of violating the students’ constitutional rights to free speech, due process, and equal protection under the law. The students claim that the university took actions such as issuing trespass notices, terminating students from campus jobs, and blacklisting them from future employment in response to their involvement in pro-Palestinian protests.
One specific incident cited in the lawsuit was a sit-in at the President’s office in November 2023, which was broken up by police resulting in injuries to some students. The lawsuit also alleges that the conflict resolution process at the university was flawed, with a student-led panel finding the accused students not responsible for violations, only to have their decision overturned by a school official.
The lawsuit further claims that complaints against pro-Palestinian student groups were strategically brought by individuals hired by the university to target these groups. The plaintiffs argue that the university only initiated complaints against students who supported divestment to stop the genocide against Palestinian people.
The University of Michigan did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit. The case highlights the tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses and raises questions about the university’s handling of student protests and disciplinary actions.
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