The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against the University of Michigan (UM) for violating students’ right to free speech by issuing trespass bans on those involved in peaceful pro-Palestine protests. The lawsuit claims that UM’s policy against “disruptions” on campus is vague and has been used to target speech the university dislikes, thus violating the First Amendment. The ACLU argues that the university’s procedures for issuing bans lack due process, as students are not allowed to question the basis of the ban or provide evidence. The ACLU also claims that the ban is biased and designed to incriminate students. The lawsuit seeks to revoke UM’s ban on student protesters and prevent future bans without due process. UM’s anti-disruption policy, adopted without notice in 2024, prohibits disruptive activities on campus.
This lawsuit comes as part of a larger trend of universities facing challenges to their handling of protests related to Israel’s war in Gaza. Protests at other universities in the US and around the world have faced severe responses from authorities. The ACLU’s legal action against UM is significant in the ongoing debate about free speech on campuses and the limits universities place on protests. The outcome of this lawsuit could have implications for how universities address dissent and free speech in the future.
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