MPAC Calls for Urgent Review of Campus Policies at Occidental College

Washington, D.C. | www.mpac.org | October 14, 2024 — The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) expresses concern over recent developments at Occidental College regarding the treatment of students and community members engaging in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The deployment of campus safety officers to intimidate and harass students, along with disciplinary charges issued against five students for their participation in peaceful demonstrations, highlight a disturbing trend. The actions being taken by Occidental College officials potentially infringes upon constitutional rights and reflects broader issues seen on university campuses across the United States.

Additionally, we have received reports indicating the potential engagement of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and additional law enforcement agencies in managing campus demonstrations. These threats suggest a troubling shift at Occidental College, where the involvement of outside police forces to manage non-violent protests could severely compromise academic integrity and stifle free speech.

In light of this, MPAC urges Occidental College to take the following steps to realign with its commitment in protecting student rights and maintaining standards of academic integrity:

1. Prioritize Amnesty For Students: Occidental College must immediately rescind any disciplinary measures imposed on students for their participation in recent protests. University Administration must ensure that no future punitive measures are taken for such activities. A formal amnesty policy will reinforce the college’s commitment to protecting students' rights to peaceful assembly.

2. Reevaluation of Protest Management Strategies: Occidental College must reassess its approach in how it manages student protests. This review should align with the values of free expression and include the cessation of external security force involvement in peaceful demonstrations, as supported by the faculty resolution.

3. Enforce Protections for Civil Liberties: Occidental College must formalize and implement protections for all students and community members participating in peaceful protest activities. This policy should include explicit assurances against the use of retaliatory measures such as external law enforcement involvement, arrests, detainments, or legal actions against protestors.

The Muslim Public Affairs Council calls on Occidental College to demonstrate its commitment to fostering an academic environment where freedom of expression is not only supported but actively encouraged. We urge the college administration to engage in constructive dialogue with both students and the broader community to ensure that policies align with constitutional rights and uphold academic values. 

In this critical moment of history, we must prioritize our students and academic freedom. We must not yield to the pressures of off-campus pro-Israel groups that seek to stifle debate at universities across the nation. It is essential students are not intimidated or punished for expressing their conscience, a right protected under the First Amendment.