Stanford University is facing growing backlash for its revised free speech and protest policies, which many activists say are designed to suppress campus dissent, particularly in response to recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Following accelerated campus activism over the Palestinian genocide, the university introduced strict regulations banning overnight encampments, requiring protest registration for large gatherings, and mandating that protesters remove face coverings if asked by authorities. The administration claims these measures preserve campus safety while allowing free expression. However, students and civil liberties groups argue that these restrictions effectively suppress dissent and suppress political engagement under the guise of neutrality.
Students and community advocates point out that the policies were carried out without meaningful student input and have created a bureaucratic minefield for organizers. For instance, spontaneous protests have become nearly impossible due to the advanced notice and logistical demands required by the new rules. Yungsu Kim, a student activist, accused the university of acting out of the fear that student action is effective, referencing past successful protests that successfully challenged the administration. Students agree that these rules protect the institution’s public image more than they protect any right to expression.
As part of the ongoing protests at Stanford, students launched a hunger strike in May 2024, to demand that the university divest from companies tied to Israel’s military operations in Palestine. The hunger strike was organized by a coalition of student activists who called out the administration for complicity in human rights violations by maintaining financial ties to weapons manufacturers and other corporations linked to the Israeli military. In addition to full financial divestment, the students also called for amnesty for previously arrested protesters, transparency regarding the university’s investment portfolio, and the establishment of an advisory committee that includes Palestinian voices. Despite the physical toll of the strike and growing media attention, university officials have not agreed to the demands nor met with students on the hunger strike. Students have been organizing daily rallies and community meet ups from 6 to 8pm to encourage community solidarity and support for the strike.
The protest and hunger strike are part of our Islamic duty to stand against injustice. Islam teaches us the importance of defending the oppressed and speaking out against wrongdoing. As the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart—but that is the weakest of faith”. By taking action for Palestine, students are fulfilling a moral or religious responsibility deeply rooted in our faith. After many attempts, students are using their physical bodies as the final ultimatum to deliver justice to our brothers and sisters in Palestine.
As student protests continue and demands for justice grow louder, Stanford University faces a critical choice: will it live up to its stated ideals of free expression, or will it continue down a path of censorship, punishment, and institutional fear?