On Tuesday, Aug. 26, the San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will hold a press conference to announce CAIR’s designation of the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), as a hostile campus due to its ongoing suppression of Palestinian advocacy, surveillance of student protests, and failure to protect students and faculty from harassment and retaliation.
Despite professing support for free speech and academic freedom, UC Berkeley has escalated policing, expanded surveillance, and selectively enforced policies that chill protected expression and endanger students and faculty advocating for Palestinian rights.
CAIR-SFBA will discuss UC Berkeley’s designation, and impacted students will speak about their experiences.
WHAT: Press Conference Announcing CAIR’s Designation of UC Berkeley as a Hostile Campus
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 11 a.m.
WHERE: CAIR-SFBA, 3350 Scott Blvd., Bldg. 48, Santa Clara
WHO:
- Bismah Jaffer, CAIR-SFBA Civil Rights Attorney
- Jeffrey Wang, CAIR-SFBA Civil Rights Managing Attorney
- UC Berkeley students impacted by the university’s policies
LIVESTREAM: Instagram Live @cair_sfba
RSVP: CAIR-SFBA Communications Manager Lorrie Adam at 408.498.5779 or ladam@cair.com
BACKGROUND
CAIR’s UnHostile Campus Campaign aims to foster an environment where Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Jewish, and other students, faculty, and staff opposing the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza can exercise their free speech rights without fear of state force or university discipline.
Earlier this year, CAIR released its 2025 Civil Rights Report “Unconstitutional Crackdowns,” which reveals that Islamophobia continues to be at an all-time high across the country. CAIR said viewpoint discrimination against those speaking out against genocide and apartheid was a key factor in many cases.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, 408.498.5779, ladam@cair.com