Disproportionate Response and Double Standard at Arizona State University
At Arizona State University, authorities arrested and suspended 27 pro-Palestinian students during protests against Israel's war on Gaza, while a pro-Israel scholar faces investigation for harassing a Muslim woman not involved in the protests.
The lawyer representing the students, David Chami, described the response as disproportionate and unfair, alleging an attempt to quell free speech.
The university is reportedly treating the pro-Palestinian protesters more harshly than pro-Israel activists, including a postdoctoral research scholar, Jonathan Yudelman, who is under investigation for harassing a hijab-wearing student not involved in the protests.
Chami, a graduate of ASU Law in 2009, shared his experience working in the university's Student Legal Services Department, where he defended student rights.
He mentioned that students who broke laws, such as causing property damage, vandalism, and DUIs, were not always suspended from school.
Instead, some faced consequences like being kicked out of dorm rooms but not having their access to complete their coursework disrupted.
Chami believes that ASU's actions were disproportionate and aimed at silencing protests, unrelated to any Student Code of Conduct violations.
ASU authorities deemed a student protest, which involved erecting tents on campus, as more than a protest and a violation of university policies.
Student Chami criticized this as a double standard, comparing the university's response to this protest to its handling of a faculty member, Yudelman, who allegedly engaged in a hate crime by verbally assaulting a woman during a pro-Palestinian event.
In a video from May 5, Yudelman can be heard mocking and threatening the woman, using derogatory language.
Another man in the video is believed to be an outside agitator, an Israeli soldier who has previously harassed students during these protests.
ASU (Arizona State University) suspended 27 pro-Palestine student protesters for exercising their freedom of speech, according to Chami, a representative of the students.
ASU President Michael Crow urged graduates to "fight for their freedoms," specifically freedom of speech and religion, just a week after the suspensions.
Neither Crow nor Yudelman responded to requests for comments.
Chami believes the suspensions were intended to discourage future protests and create fear among students.
The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee expressed concern over harsh responses to pro-Palestine demonstrations at colleges across the US, including arrests, expulsions, and harassment.
The organization criticized university administrators for endangering students and ignoring similar conduct by pro-Israel protesters.
Instances of excessive force, such as physical assaults, hijab removals, and use of mace, have been reported at George Washington University and Columbia University.
The ADC (American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee) refuted accusations that pro-Palestinian protests are antisemitic, emphasizing the participation of Jewish students and activists.
They have set up a legal defense fund to support student protesters who have been physically attacked by university officials, law enforcement, or counterprotesters.
The university is reportedly treating the pro-Palestinian protesters more harshly than pro-Israel activists, including a postdoctoral research scholar, Jonathan Yudelman, who is under investigation for harassing a hijab-wearing student not involved in the protests.
Chami, a graduate of ASU Law in 2009, shared his experience working in the university's Student Legal Services Department, where he defended student rights.
He mentioned that students who broke laws, such as causing property damage, vandalism, and DUIs, were not always suspended from school.
Instead, some faced consequences like being kicked out of dorm rooms but not having their access to complete their coursework disrupted.
Chami believes that ASU's actions were disproportionate and aimed at silencing protests, unrelated to any Student Code of Conduct violations.
ASU authorities deemed a student protest, which involved erecting tents on campus, as more than a protest and a violation of university policies.
Student Chami criticized this as a double standard, comparing the university's response to this protest to its handling of a faculty member, Yudelman, who allegedly engaged in a hate crime by verbally assaulting a woman during a pro-Palestinian event.
In a video from May 5, Yudelman can be heard mocking and threatening the woman, using derogatory language.
Another man in the video is believed to be an outside agitator, an Israeli soldier who has previously harassed students during these protests.
ASU (Arizona State University) suspended 27 pro-Palestine student protesters for exercising their freedom of speech, according to Chami, a representative of the students.
ASU President Michael Crow urged graduates to "fight for their freedoms," specifically freedom of speech and religion, just a week after the suspensions.
Neither Crow nor Yudelman responded to requests for comments.
Chami believes the suspensions were intended to discourage future protests and create fear among students.
The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee expressed concern over harsh responses to pro-Palestine demonstrations at colleges across the US, including arrests, expulsions, and harassment.
The organization criticized university administrators for endangering students and ignoring similar conduct by pro-Israel protesters.
Instances of excessive force, such as physical assaults, hijab removals, and use of mace, have been reported at George Washington University and Columbia University.
The ADC (American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee) refuted accusations that pro-Palestinian protests are antisemitic, emphasizing the participation of Jewish students and activists.
They have set up a legal defense fund to support student protesters who have been physically attacked by university officials, law enforcement, or counterprotesters.
Translation:
Translated by AI
