ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A group of students from the University of Michigan staged a walkout on Thursday to protest the university’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, as the school finalizes its “Disruptive Activity Policy.”
The walkout came a day after the university’s deadline for community input on its new policy regarding protesting and free speech expired.
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Just over a week ago, a group composed of more than 80 student organizations under the name TAHRIR Coalition, protested the university’s 101st annual Honors Convocation.
Shortly after the protest, the school shared that it would be creating a “Disruptive Activity Policy” which could lead to a formal reprimand “up to and including suspension or expulsion.”
UM President Ono Shares Preliminary Responses to the Proposed Policy.
“We’ve received a robust response to our call for feedback,” UM President Ono said in a statement. “I’m encouraged by the passion and rigor with which our community has engaged in this process. Thank you for your commitment – we are listening.”
He acknowledged that students have protested at UM since the beginning of its existence.
“As a university committed to free speech and diversity of perspective, we welcome dissent and the expression of the broadest array of ideas–even those perspectives that could be unpopular, upsetting, or critical of the university,” UM President Ono added.
He did not provide a definitive deadline for when the policy would be finalized.
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“All of this feedback has been heard and is valued,” UM President Ono added. “The university will not rush the development of this new policy; we will ensure all voices have an opportunity to be heard; and we will carefully review all the comments we receive.”
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan weighs in on the policy.
A day before the walkout, the ACLU of Michigan sent a letter to the UM sharing its concerns regarding the proposed “Disruptive Activity Policy.”
“We believe the proposed policy is vague and overbroad, and risks chilling a substantial amount of free speech and expression,” the letter said. “We recognize that the University has an interest in carrying out its operations without major disruptions; however, in attempting to achieve that goal, the proposed policy sacrifices far too much.”
The group also recommended the university change the policy.
“We therefore urge the University to abandon its efforts to adopt this policy or, at the very least, substantially re-write it to better protect First Amendment rights,” the letter said.
The ACLU also took issue with the proposed policy as “vague, overbroad, or both,” citing part of paragraph #1 “No Person without legal authority may prevent or impede the free flow of persons about campus, whether indoors or outdoors, including any pedestrian, bicycle, or vehicular traffic.”
“Although it is not unconstitutional to prohibit individuals from intentionally blocking sidewalks, streets, and entrances and exits to buildings, classrooms, and similar venues, the proposed policy risks chilling a substantial amount of expressive activity that the University does not have a legitimate interest in preventing,” the letter said.
A full copy of the letter can be found here.
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