The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the dismissal of felony charges against seven students and community members involved in the peaceful 2024 pro-Palestinian encampment protest at the University of Michigan.
SEE: Felony charges against U of M pro-Palestinian protesters dismissed
CAIR-MI also strongly urged the Attorney General’s Office to immediately dismiss all remaining misdemeanor trespassing charges, which the organization believes are politically motivated and rooted in bias against those advocating for Palestinian human rights.
In September 2024, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office headed by Dana Nessel brought charges against University of Michigan students who had participated in an encampment calling for the recognition of human rights of Palestinians and calling for the university to divest from weapons manufacturers and the state of Israel.
SEE: Michigan AG charges 11 pro-Palestinian protesters at University of Michigan
The felony charges, which were widely criticized by civil rights advocates, legal scholars, and student organizations across the country, were officially dropped this morning. CAIR-MI notes that the Attorney General’s decision to drop the charges reflects what we have long asserted: these prosecutions were politically motivated and lacked merit. The AG’s own acknowledgment in a statement about dropping these charges—that the case became a “circus-like atmosphere” due to outside interference and prolonged proceedings—underscores that continuing these charges would have served no legitimate purpose and only further targeted those standing for Palestinian human rights. However, more than a dozen individuals still face misdemeanor charges related to the protest encampment, despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration and the lack of any criminal conduct beyond alleged presence on university property.
“We welcome the dismissal of these excessive and retaliatory felony charges, which never should have been filed in the first place,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “But this moment demands more. All charges stemming from this peaceful protest should be dismissed. These prosecutions appear to have been driven not by law but by a desire to silence students and community members calling for the recognition of Palestinian human rights and accountability from the University of Michigan for its investments in Israeli weapons manufacturers. The continued prosecution of these individuals is a stain on our state’s commitment to civil liberties and equal justice.”
CAIR-MI further is highly troubled by the inappropriate attempt by the Jewish Federation of Ann Arbor to influence the court process by submitting a letter to the presiding judge supporting the continued involvement of Attorney General Dana Nessel in the case. The Federation has no direct connection to the matter and its intervention appears motivated solely by the political views of the defendants, who have been vocal in their advocacy for Palestinian human rights and calls for divestment.
“The Jewish Federation of Ann Arbor’s unsolicited letter to the judge in this case is a disturbing example of improper political interference in a criminal prosecution,” said Amy V. Doukoure, CAIR-MI Staff Attorney. “They have no legal standing or factual connection to this case. Their intervention was clearly intended to influence the outcome of proceedings against students whose only ‘offense’ was to speak out for the rights and dignity of Palestinians. It is an affront to judicial impartiality and an example of how political interests attempt to weaponize the legal system against dissenting voices.”
CAIR-MI stands with the students and community members who bravely participated in the encampment and calls on the University of Michigan, local prosecutors, and the Attorney General to respect the First Amendment rights of protestors and immediately drop the remaining charges.
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 Staff Attorney, Amy V. Doukoure, (586) 943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com