20 November 2016

ACLU Asked School To Violate Its Rules

Student Protesters
Lawyers with the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan have sent a letter to Eastern Michigan University's president asking him to stop disciplinary proceedings against student protesters even if it was clear they violated the school regulation.

"Public universities should be places where students are encouraged to engage in the political process and where protection of the free exchange of ideas is at its zenith," the letter, dated 17 November, says. "Instead of threatening to expel these students, the University should thank them for standing up in the face of an environment of hate and working to make EMU a more welcoming place for students of color."

"Standing in the face of an environment of hate" are big words, but is ACLU even aware what the students did? They defied school rules for protesters.

Several Eastern students were already summoned in front of a student disciplinary board, charged with violating the student Code of Conduct following an all-night sit-in at the university's Student Center.

The protest took place during the early morning hours of 2 November. Black students, continuing a string of marches and protests because they are just too sensitive and delicate to accept the fact that there are others in campus that doesn't share their feeling about political correctness, diversity or the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.

Police officers warned the group they would have to leave the student center when it closed at 1 A.M or face the consequences of violating the student code of conduct. About half the group left. Police returned after 2 A.M. and specifically ordered the protesters to disperse. They then recorded the protesters on video and formally told them if they stayed they would be in violation of the student code of conduct and could face expulsion.

The group stayed until about 6 A.M.

Then, several students began getting notices from the university that they faced disciplinary action.

University spokesman Geoff Larcom earlier told the Free Press the university had no choice but to bring the charges, adding the student code doesn't allow for judgment calls on a case-by-case basis. "It's the student code. You can't pick and choose" what to enforce.