ACLU Supporter, students and faculty on college campuses across the country are facing disturbing arrests for engaging in peaceful protests in response to the war in Gaza.

Across the country, the ACLU is on the ground fighting for free speech from state legislatures to courtrooms everyday. As schools and politicians take extreme measures to shut down peaceful protests on campus, our work becomes even more urgent:

• In New York, our state affiliate continues to monitor protests on-the-ground at Columbia, NYU, Fordham, and other NY schools – and has strongly condemned university leaders' decision to bring in the New York Police Department to arrest student protesters.

  Sending police officers decked out in tactical gear to violently clamp down on nonviolent student activism will only escalate tensions on campus. Students and faculty alike should be able to make their voices heard without fear of violent police repression. Read NYCLU's full statement >>

• In Indiana, the ACLU of Indiana is urging Indiana University to listen to the overwhelming calls from students, faculty, and community members to stop arresting peaceful protesters, drop the trespassing charges, rescind the campus bans, and void the absurd and dangerous changes to IU's protest policy.

  The night before a scheduled protest, IU's president changed the protest policy that has been in effect for over 50 years – then used the new rules to justify sending in law enforcement to violently arrest students and faculty peacefully protesting in a campus park. As a public university, IU has a legal obligation under the Constitution to protect free speech on campus. Read the ACLU of Indiana's response >>

• In Texas, the ACLU of Texas has been vigorously opposing Gov. Abbott's violent crackdown on students at public universities across the state, and is working tirelessly to make sure Texans know their rights – including with a virtual training today at 3 p.m. CT. Texas students at both public and private universities seeking additional resources can check out their helpful guide on student speech rights and how to handle law enforcement interactions. Read the ACLU of Texas' full statement >>

In all 50 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico, our ACLU affiliates are working year-round to protect your rights. Check with your local affiliate to get the latest on speech rights in your state – and don't hesitate to reach out if you think your rights have been violated.

In any state, schools have a responsibility to both protect students from violence and discrimination, as well as uphold free expression. Colleges and universities – including private institutions not bound directly by the First Amendment – must remain firm in their commitment to support and encourage free speech, robust debate, and peaceful dissent.

– The ACLU Team