The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today designated Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and Portland State University (PSU) as “Institutions of Particular Concern” for targeting anti-genocide protesters and creating a hostile environment by repressing free speech and academic freedoms on campus.
[NOTE: In November, CAIR-Ohio welcomed a federal probe of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) allegedly targeting and intimidating students involved in Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). In October, CAIR welcomed a U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (DOE) investigation into Portland State University (PSU) over racist, anti-Palestinian flyers appearing on campus.]
In a report released today, CAIR documented the different ways in which the administration at CWRU and PSU displayed apparent discrimination based on religion, race, and ethnicity by actively suppressing the free speech of Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Jewish, and other students, staff, and faculty who oppose occupation and apartheid in Gaza.
Hostile campuses designated as “institutions of particular concern” previously by CAIR include GWU, UCLA, Emory University, Columbia University, UT Austin, NYU, Northwestern University, Pomona College, U-Mich, UGA, UChicago, and Swarthmore College.
“These campuses are overlooking the important tradition of free speech and academic freedom, often penalizing peaceful civil disobedience against the genocide in Gaza,” said Corey Saylor, CAIR Research and Advocacy Director. “We encourage students and faculty to find universities that genuinely uphold free speech and honor diverse perspectives.”
He noted that yesterday, CAIR launched a new site encouraging students to report university and college campuses targeting them for expressing views in opposition to the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Community Advisory: CAIR Launches New Site for Students to Report Campuses Targeting Anti-Genocide Views
BACKGROUNDER:
Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) has created a hostile environment for Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and allied students despite claiming to support free expression and equity. The administration allegedly labeled pro-Palestinian student resolutions and chants as hate speech, failed to address harassment, and allowed incidents like contractors spraying demonstrators with paint. Peaceful protesters were reportedly arrested, and defamatory posters targeting activists went uninvestigated. CWRU administration imposed new restrictive policies on free expression, allegedly facing opposition and criticism from the Law School faculty over potential accreditation risks. A Title VI complaint by CAIR-Ohio details ongoing discrimination, suggesting the university fails to uphold its values of free speech and academic freedoms.
Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab students and faculty allege severe hostility, discrimination, and disregard by the PSU administration. PSU deployed police to remove demonstrators protesting apartheid and genocide, with reports of excessive force and arrests. A federal Title VI investigation is examining the university’s failure to act on persistent hate speech, including anti-Palestinian flyers. PSU’s Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine reportedly accuses PSU of prioritizing donor relationships over the safety and well-being of Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, and allied students. President Ann Cudd’s public statements have also drawn condemnation for focusing on the safety of pro-Israel students while neglecting harassment faced by marginalized communities. CAIR calls on PSU to uphold its stated commitments to free speech and equity by fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students and staff.
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.
CAIR has filed lawsuits in Maryland and Texas, challenging extensive efforts to shut down anti-genocide protests and advocacy for Palestinian rights throughout the country.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com