On March 8, the federal immigration authorities arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a leader of the anti-Israel protest at Columbia University in New York City.
I am deeply concerned by these heavy-handed actions — actions that appear to be bending, if not outright breaking, the law. Such measures stand in direct contradiction to the fundamental principles we, as members of American academe, uphold.
Columbia University, in coordination with local law enforcement, has the capacity to manage campus protests without outside intervention. The deployment of federal agents to fight protests on college campuses poses a significant and alarming threat to academic freedom and civil liberties — one that we must all take seriously and actively resist. The implications of their actions extend far beyond any single protest or institution, undermining the key Constitutional principles.
I vehemently disagree with the movement Mr. Khalil represents. Yet I urge all stakeholders to recognize the dangers of this escalation and to reaffirm their commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting civil rights, and preserving the autonomy of our educational institutions.