Statement in Solidarity with Mahmoud Khalil, Students, and Workers in Columbia University
The Graduate Employees’ Organization Local 6300, IFT/AFT, AFL-CIO at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign vehemently condemns Columbia University’s attacks on free speech and students’ and workers’ rights to organize.
Columbia’s administration has been working in tandem with the Trump administration to repress students and workers who stood up against the Gaza genocide in 2024. The actions they have taken include:
- the firing and expulsion of Grant Miner, president of Student Workers of Columbia (UAW Local 2710), on March 13, one day before his union began bargaining with the university;
- the illegal arrest and detention of green card-holder Mahmoud Khalil by ICE agents on March 8;
- the cancelling of Ranjani Srinivasan’s student visa;
- the arrest of Leqaa Kordia by ICE agents; and
- the suspension or expulsion of Columbia students.
These actions are an outrageous assault on First Amendment rights and part of the Trump administration’s ransoming of federal funds to suppress the movement for Palestinian freedom. The Department of Justice’s investigation into supposed “terrorism crimes” related to a peaceful protest is appalling.
Unfortunately, these attacks on free speech are not isolated to Columbia University. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign administration has disciplined at least 8 students and dismissed 1 student for the on-campus encampments in April 2024, disciplined undergraduate students for participating in an annual march against climate change, and changed their expressive activities policy to limit speech and protest on campus. The University Senates Conference has—unsuccessfully, for now—attempted to strip away academic freedom from graduate workers and dangerously narrow the definition of academic freedom for all workers.
We call on Columbia University, UIUC, and all universities across the US to refuse to sacrifice student and worker rights for federal money. These institutions have an obligation to protect their students and workers and not comply with harmful and illegal orders from the Trump administration.
Everyone deserves universities and workplaces that are free from fear and retaliation. We stand in solidarity with the students and workers of Columbia University!