A pro-Palestinian organization at the University of Michigan has been suspended for a duration of two years and will forfeit its funding due to its involvement in protests advocating for divestment from companies associated with Israel.
The group, known as Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE), was found to have breached the university’s conduct regulations for recognized student organizations. This followed a protest last spring outside the residence of a regent, along with another unauthorized demonstration on the Ann Arbor campus.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has heightened tensions on U.S. college campuses, sparking numerous emotional protests. Recent events included pro-Palestinian tent encampments, which contributed to around 3,200 arrests nationwide.
The conflict ignited following a deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, where Hamas militants killed around 1,200 individuals and captured approximately 250 hostages.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump enacted an executive order aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses. The order pledges to take vigorous action against those who promote hate and threatens to deport international students deemed “Hamas sympathizers.”
The University of Michigan announced its sanctions against SAFE on January 16, almost two weeks prior to Trump’s order. Besides the suspension, the organization is barred from reserving any campus spaces. They have until next Thursday to contest these decisions.
There’s a possibility that the suspension could end before the full two years if SAFE complies with all imposed sanctions and engages in discussions with university officials about their policies concerning student organizations. However, early reinstatement can only occur no earlier than winter 2026.
In a statement, the university affirmed, “Protests are welcome at U-M, provided they do not infringe upon others’ rights, disrupt university operations, violate policies, or jeopardize community safety. We are committed to enforcing our policies regarding protests and ensuring accountability among individuals and organizations to maintain a safe, inclusive environment for everyone.”
In May, a protest took place outside the home of University of Michigan board member Sarah Hubbard, where masked demonstrators set up tents and left fake bloody bodies. This incident occurred about 60 miles northwest of the Ann Arbor campus. Hubbard noted that around 30 individuals participated in the 6 a.m. demonstration, where they taped a letter to her door and chanted loudly in her otherwise tranquil neighborhood.
The demonstrators departed shortly after Meridian Township police arrived, and no arrests were made.
Following this, police in protective gear dismantled a pro-Palestinian encampment on the Ann Arbor campus, leading to charges against nine individuals for trespassing or resisting law enforcement.
The protests were calling for the university’s endowment to cease investments in companies with connections to Israel, despite the university’s assertion that it does not hold direct investments in such entities.
