(CANTONT, MI, 12/6/2023) – The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today expresses extreme concern about the recent decision by the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor to prohibit two student assembly votes relating to the ongoing ethnic cleansing and genocide of Gazans by the Israeli military.
CAIR-MI is also asking to speak about the issue at tomorrow’s board of regents meeting.
University students put forward two resolutions for a vote relating to the ongoing war crimes and ethnic cleansing currently taking place in Gaza. Assembly Resolution 13-025 called for the university to divest from companies that give support and supply the Israeli military.
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor President Santa Ono said in a statement that the two resolutions would not be allowed to be voted upon in which he characterized them as stoking “fear, anger and animosity on our campus.”
SEE: UM prohibits votes for 2 proposed student resolutions on Israel-Hamas war (Detroit News)
“We are extremely concerned about the University of Michigan stifling the voices of its own students in what appears to be tacit endorsement of the ongoing war crimes currently taking place in Gaza,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Unfortunately, the university which is supposed to be an environment for debating competing ideas, is undermining freedom of speech and conscience of its own student body and unduly favoring the feelings of some students over the concerns of many others.”
Walid also stated that he sent a request last week to speak at tomorrow’s board of regents meeting about the prohibition of these two resolutions as well as to voice concerns from university parents about the current campus environment but was denied.
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-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Director of Safe Spaces Nour Ali, 248-559-2247, nsali@cair.com