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Activists claim racialized targeting and political retaliation in ongoing protests at the University of Michigan.
Protests on U-M Campus Escalate as Activists Face Felony Charges
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The TAHRIR Coalition has issued a sharp condemnation of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel for pursuing what they describe as “racist and retaliatory charges” against three individuals arrested during a pro-Palestine protest at the University of Michigan (U-M). The protest, held on August 28, 2024, at the U-M Diag during the Festifall student organization fair, aimed to highlight the estimated 186,000 Palestinian deaths from what activists call “ongoing genocide” in Gaza.
During the protest, over 40 participants, including students, faculty, and staff, staged a “Die-In” demonstration. U-M police intervened 30 minutes into the event, ordering participants to disperse. As protesters began marching, police reportedly used force, arresting four individuals, including two Black activists, one of whom is Muslim.
Two of the arrestees and another activist were recently informed of new felony charges from the Attorney General’s office. Activists claim these charges reflect a broader campaign of intimidation and repression against those advocating for U-M to divest its $19 billion endowment from companies allegedly complicit in human rights violations in Gaza.
Protesters Allege Racialized Targeting
TAHRIR Coalition asserts that U-M and state authorities have engaged in “racialized targeting” of protesters, particularly Black and Muslim activists. Among the arrestees are two individuals who were also part of the UM Gaza Solidarity Encampment, a prior protest whose participants—dubbed the “Encampment 11”—face ongoing legal battles instigated by Nessel at the request of U-M Regents.
“These additional charges are the latest escalation in a pattern of police repression and racialized targeting,” a TAHRIR Coalition representative stated. “Rather than prosecuting those responsible for the Flint water crisis, Dana Nessel’s office is overstepping local prosecutors to pursue politically motivated charges.”
Activists also highlight the University’s alleged role in bypassing Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit, a local official who has not supported prosecuting the demonstrators. Instead, U-M Regents have reportedly requested intervention from the Attorney General’s office, further politicizing the issue.
Tensions Between Protesters and U-M Leadership
The August 28 protest is one of several demonstrations aimed at drawing attention to U-M’s alleged complicity in Gaza violence through its financial investments. Demonstrators accuse the University of perpetuating harm by maintaining investments in companies tied to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
U-M President Santa Ono and the Board of Regents are accused of retaliatory tactics, including police force, arrests, and pressing charges against protesters. The timing of the new charges—shortly after a lawsuit alleging violations of protesters’ free speech and due process rights—has fueled claims that the legal actions are retaliatory.
Coalition Demands and Next Steps
The TAHRIR Coalition has issued the following demands:
- Drop all charges against the arrested protesters.
- End police repression of pro-Palestine activism on campus.
- Divest U-M’s endowment from entities allegedly complicit in human rights violations in Gaza.
- Eli Savit to publicly reject the Attorney General’s actions in these cases.
“We refuse to let these racialized and retaliatory charges isolate members of our community,” the Coalition stated. “This is a fight for justice, free speech, and the rights of those advocating for Palestinian liberation.”
A Broader National Debate
The controversy highlights growing tensions over free speech, academic freedom, and activism on college campuses. As institutions grapple with calls for divestment and student protests, questions about the boundaries of lawful dissent and administrative authority remain at the forefront.
For now, the legal battle continues as activists push back against what they see as a misuse of power to stifle advocacy. Whether the charges against the protesters will be dropped remains uncertain.
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