ACLU files a lawsuit against the University of Michigan after the pro-palestinian protesters

Ann Arbor, Mich. – The American Union of Civil Libertads has filed a lawsuit against the University of Michigan after prohibitions of transfer to the people who participated in Pro-Palestinian protests.

The demand was filed on behalf of two undergraduate students, two recent mastery graduates and an individual affiliated with the university.

All participated in pro-palestinian protests and have been issued by the University Police Department, which prohibits them from being on the campus without the threat of criminal prosecution for the transfer, according to the lawsuit.

The demand alleges that the University is disproportionately pointing to pro-palestinian protesters with these prohibitions of transfer.

“The use of the University of Transpasse prohibitions seems to be disproportionately aimed at these private protesters, whose speech does not like the university,” according to demand. “Despite a long history of protest activity with respect to innumerable issues at the University of Michigan, which has sometimes included acts of civil disobedience, it seems that no other group of Protestants has undergone prohibitions of transfer equally broad for the same or supposed supposed activity. “

To one of the plaintiffs, Jonathan Zou, a second year university student, can only be on the class campus or visit the medical center.

“For the simple act of using a megaphone to lead the participants in a recent protest on the campus, the Campus Police issued me a transfer prohibition that forbade me not only to attend classes, but also to step on any property within everything The UM system “. Zou said. “While my prohibition has recently amended to finally allow me to return to class, I am still forbidden to participate in protests and gatherings of student organization, attend conferences and events, and meet teachers, classmates and friends in person. I have the constitutional right to be on the campus, make my daily life and participate in protests against the university. It is absurd that my university is being interposed in the exercise of my rights threatening me with a criminal transfer prosecution. ”

In addition, the demand defies the university policy that prohibits the “interruptions” that claim that it is vague and suppresses their rights to freedom of expression and due process.

Police officers at the University of Michigan can issue documents of “transfer prohibition” on behalf of the university that prohibits the recipient to be on a property that is property or rented by the university, according to the demand.

These spaces include buildings, parks, open spaces, such as the diag, along with sidewalks and roads on the campus.

According to the demand, the “transfer policy” allows officials to issue these prohibitions if the individual is:

• Committed or suspected that he commits a crime against people or properties while on campus

• Rejected or did not comply with the established university rules that protect the health and safety of people or property

• Interrupted legal operations and functions

• Demonstrated a risk of physical damage or injury to others or properties

Here is an example of how the front is seen and the back of a form of transfer prohibition:

“In general, prohibitions last a full year, but university officials have begun to extend some prohibitions even more without explanation,” according to an ACLU statement. “Speckers have been given prohibitions based on mere accusations of extremely minor behavior, such as Jaywalking or using a bullhororn after they told him not to do so.”

The demand alleges that the procedures that occur after the prohibitions have an effect lack due process protections and simply give time to the plaintiffs to convince the Police Department why they must amend or appeal the prohibition they issued.

“The right to speak and protest freely is essential for a democracy that works well, and it is especially important of Michigan Aclu staff. Unfortunately, in recent months, the Michigan University Police arrested pro-Palestinian protesters, forcibly cleared their camp with pepper spray, implemented new policies that prohibit “interruptions”, and now they are indiscriminately banishing the protesters of the campus. We are demanding university to restore important protections of freedom of expression and due process to the university campus. ”

Local 4 has communicated with the University of Michigan and a spokesman said: “The university has not received the demand. We have no comments at this time. “