Statement by the Detroit and Michigan Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild on Political Prosecutions

October 24, 2024

The National Lawyers Guild Detroit & Michigan Chapter (NLG), a leading advocate for civil liberties and social justice, denounced Attorney General Dana Nessel’s recent decision to charge University of Michigan students, alumni, and community members for their participation in protests last spring. The protesters sought divestment of the university’s funds from Israeli entities linked to human rights violations, and face charges including trespassing and resisting or obstructing a police officer.

In a highly unusual procedure, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has moved forward with criminal charges against 11 pro-Palestinian protesters at the request of the University of Michigan. This decision raises serious concerns about political motivations, particularly in light of leaked audio revealing that University President Santa Ono was pressured to prioritize concerns about antisemitism over Islamophobia.

The NLG has been present at over 150 actions for Palestine across the state, where we have regularly witnessed excessive force used against students advocating for an end to Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. For just two recent examples, four individuals were arrested on campus after a die-in mourning the lives lost in Palestine on September 5. Then on October 7, an individual was arrested and campus police deployed chemical weapons against hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters on campus. The charges brought by Nessel, including one of ethnic intimidation, are yet another example of attempts to silence pro-Palestinian activists by falsely framing their actions as violent or intimidating.

This repression mirrors broader efforts to conflate legitimate criticism of Israeli and U.S. actions with antisemitism, obscuring the voices of those standing against human rights violations. We call on Michigan officials, including President Ono and Attorney General Nessel, to respect the rights of students and activists advocating for justice in Palestine, rather than succumbing to pressure that seeks to silence dissent. We will continue to support and defend those targeted for their commitment to fighting oppression and standing in solidarity with Palestinians.

Contact:
National Lawyers Guild, Detroit & Michigan Chapter
P.O. Box 311458
Detroit, MI 48231-1458
(313) 925-2626
Administrator@MichiganNLG.org

A PDF of this statement can be found here.