The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on George Washington University in Washington, D.C., to allow medical access and legal observers for an anti-genocide student sit-in in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Students at the sit-in told CAIR this morning that police began barricading the students within a tight corner of the University Yard and refused to let them new students enter or allow organizers to switch the person offering medical support to the students. The police reportedly say that if that person leaves, they will not be allowed back into the encampment, thereby leaving the students without medical assistance.
According to the students, the police said they will decide if there is need for medical assistance and are refusing to let the legal observers to be on-site with the students.
“Peaceful demonstrators seeking an end to the genocide in Gaza should have access to medical assistance and legal support,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “We urge university officials to support the First Amendment rights of students to peaceable assembly and to speak out against Israel’s ongoing genocide, ethnic cleansing and forced starvation in Gaza.”
He noted that tomorrow, CAIR is offering a “Know Your Rights” webinar for students nationwide protesting against the Gaza genocide.
Awad spoke to the demonstrators on Thursday.
He noted earlier today, CAIR’s Philadelphia chapter joined greater Philadelphia-area mosques and Muslim community organizations in issuing an open letter calling on area college presidents and school district leaders to respect pro-Palestine students’ First Amendment rights and to refrain from disciplinary action and enacting police violence at anti-genocide protests.
Also today, CAIR’s Connecticut chapter expressed its solidarity with students of the University of Connecticut who have erected a pro-Palestinian encampment at the Storrs campus.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR 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: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@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