(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 11/21/24) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today designated the University of Chicago (UChicago) and Swarthmore College, PA, as “Institutions of Particular Concern” for targeting anti-genocide protestors and creating a hostile environment by repressing free speech on campus.
In a report released today, CAIR documented the different ways in which the administration at UChicago and the leaders of Swarthmore College displayed apparent discrimination based on religion, race, and ethnicity by actively suppressing the free speech of Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Jewish, and other students, staff, and faculty who oppose occupation and apartheid.
SEE: CAIR Designates UChicago and Swarthmore College as Institutions of Particular Concern for Targeting Anti-Genocide Student Protesters
Hostile campuses designated as “institutions of particular concern” previously by CAIR include GWU, UCLA,Emory University, Columbia University, UT Austin, NYU, Northwestern University, Pomona College, U-Mich, and UGA.
“These campuses have suppressed the American tradition of free speech, denied inclusion, and systematically punished peaceful civil disobedience by involving state force and disciplinary measures against those who oppose the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” said CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor. “We suggest students or faculty considering these institutions instead apply to universities that value free speech, preserve academic freedom, and respect minority viewpoints.”
“The University of Chicago’s administration has abandoned its moral responsibility to uphold freedom of expression and conscience, and in doing so, failed to protect large segments of its students. By punishing peaceful dissent, muffling voices condemning genocide, and calling for justice for all peoples, UChicago has weighed in on the side of censorship and repression rather than freedom of speech and inclusion. This is particularly bewildering, given that the administration just celebrated receiving an anonymous $100 million gift earmarked for ‘building upon the University’s longstanding leadership in free expression’ in their own words.” said CAIR-Chicago’s Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab.
He added: “CAIR-Chicago stands in support of peaceful, free expression and promotes an atmosphere of dialogue and free exchange of ideas in times of disagreement and conflict. This is what sets us apart from the repressive nations we criticize. We will continue to stand up to colleges and universities around the country who waiver in standing strong for our great country’s founding principle of freedom of conscience, whenever faced with undue external pressure and threats.”
“Swarthmore College had multiple opportunities to address the well-documented concerns of its own students, faculty members, and the broader community,” said CAIR-Philadelphia’s Executive Director, Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu. “At every instance, Swarthmore administrators doubled down on their mistakes to assume their own community as a problem. This designation sends a strong message to Swarthmore and other institutions that dismiss their own communities.”
At the University of Chicago, Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, and allied students allegedly face ongoing discrimination, including harassment, doxing, and selective disciplinary action for pro-Palestine activism. Administrators reportedly failed to protect these students from slurs, threats, and even physical attacks while responding with arrests and police intervention against their peaceful protests. UChicago United for Palestine filed a federal civil rights complaint, citing incidents such as targeted removal of encampments, racial profiling, biased responses to student reports of harassment and selective enforcement of university policies to silence anti-genocide voices.
Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab students and faculty allege severe hostility, discrimination, and disregard by the Swarthmore College administration. A Title VI complaint filed by CAIR-Philadelphia and the ADC with the U.S. Department of Education accuses Swarthmore of several issues, including changes to the Student Code of Conduct aimed at restricting pro-Palestinian activism, neglect of bias reports submitted by Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab students, selective disciplinary action against these students, unequal support from Public Safety, and surveillance concerns. The Swarthmore administration’s apparent double standards and biased handling of incidents undermine the college’s commitment to equity and create a hostile environment that leaves students who oppose the genocide feeling targeted and marginalized.
In May, CAIR released ‘Hostile’: How Universities Target Anti-Genocide Protesters, detailing unprecedented efforts across the country to suppress students from advocating for Palestinians.
In August, CAIR launched its Unhostile Campus Campaign, a project aimed at fostering a campus environment where Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Jewish, and other students, faculty, and staff opposing the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza enjoy free speech and academic freedom and are not subjected to state force or university discipline due to their viewpoints.
CAIR has filed lawsuits in Maryland and Texas, challenging extensive efforts to shut down anti-genocide protests and advocacy for Palestinian rights throughout the country.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com
