Joint Statement on the U.S. Government’s Threat to Cut Funding for New York Universities
The Department of Education’s warning letters sent out to sixty colleges and universities, including Binghamton University, Cornell University, and Union College yesterday, represent yet another attempt by the Trump administration to restrict students’ free speech and First Amendment rights. College Democrats of New York and its respective chapters condemn anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of discrimination based on religion, race, or ethnicity.
However, it is clear that the Trump administration is not genuinely interested in combating anti-Semitism. This is evidenced by the president's own past anti-Semitic statements, as well as the actions and rhetoric of influential members of his administration, including Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Rather than addressing legitimate concerns, the Education Department’s actions are a calculated effort to curtail academic freedom and stifle political and social discourse on college campuses.
By equating legitimate expressions of political criticism in the form of peaceful protests, with harassment and discrimination, the administration is dangerously eroding core principles of academic inquiry and free expression. We continue to support students’ right to peaceful, non-discriminatory protest against the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza.
We stand in solidarity with all those affected by discrimination and harassment, but we will not allow for free speech to be trampled in the name of combating hate. We will continue to fight for the preservation of personal freedom and the protection of First Amendment rights at every level.
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Signed:
The College Democrats of New York
University of Rochester College Democrats
Binghamton University College Democrats
Cornell Democrats
SUNY Fredonia College Democrats
St. Lawrence University Democrats
Union College Young Democrats
College Democrats at Syracuse University
Contact Information:
Sowad Ocean Karim
Communications Director
collegedemsny@gmail.com
Organization Info:
College Democrats of New York
https://www.collegedemsny.org
collegedemsny@gmail.com