On Wednesday, September 23, attorneys from CAIR Legal Defense Fund are scheduled to argue in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in support of its challenge to the University of Missouri’s decision to exclude Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine from its annual homecoming parade.
The University of Missouri is appealing the judgment of the District Court, which held that the University’s decision to exclude Mizzou SJP violated the First Amendment and ordered the University to allow Mizzou SJP into the 2025 homecoming parade.
The oral arguments can be livestreamed.
WHAT:
CAIR Oral Argument for Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine v. Mun Choi, 25-03317
WHEN:
September 23, 2026, at 9 A.M.
WHERE:
In person at Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse, 111 South 10th Street, Northeast Courtroom, 27th Floor, St. Louis, Missouri. 63102
To live stream, dial 571-353-2301, access code 678341765
WHO: CAIR Attorneys, on behalf of Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine
BACKGROUNDER:
In fall 2024, Mizzou SJP applied to participate in the University of Missouri’s annual homecoming parade. Just three days before the parade, University President Mun Choi sent an email to Mizzou SJP notifying them that he personally denied their application. Choi did so after expressing concern about Mizzou SJP’s anti-genocide messaging.
Every other group that applied to enter the parade was allowed, including pro-trump groups, pro-life and pro-choice groups, and even local candidates for government. Each of these groups expressed their own political viewpoints.
Choi, again, denied Mizzou SJP from participating in the 2025 homecoming parade. CAIR sued on behalf of Mizzou SJP, and a District Court granted a motion for preliminary injunction, holding that Dr. Choi engaged in illegal viewpoint discrimination and ordering Dr. Choi to allow MSJP to participate in the 2025 homecoming parade. Mizzou SJP ultimately participated without issue.
END
CONTACT: CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Litigation Director Gadeir Abbas 720-251-0425, [email protected]; CAIR National Staff Attorney Ahmad Kaki 202-640-4935, [email protected]; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]