NEW DELHI: MIT has suspended a student group, the Coalition Against Apartheid (CAA), for organizing a demonstration without obtaining the necessary university permission. The protest, held against the possibility of an Israeli military ground invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, occurred amidst ongoing nationwide university protests against the war.
Sally Kornbluth, the president of MIT, announced the suspension in a video statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that it was unrelated to the content of the group’s speech. Kornbluth highlighted the importance of adhering to the university’s time, place and manner policies to ensure a conducive environment for learning and working on campus.
As a consequence of the suspension, the CAA will lose its privileges as a student group, including funding, access to MIT facilities and the ability to hold demonstrations on campus.
In response to the suspension, the CAA issued a statement demanding reinstatement, characterizing MIT’s action as an attack on their right to advocate for “Palestinian liberation.” The group claimed that 13 student organizers had been individually threatened with permanent suspension, a point not addressed by the president in her video statement.
The CAA’s statement also criticized the MIT administration for applying what they deemed as unjust punitive measures for over four months. The group framed their actions as a response to the “genocide perpetrated by the Israeli occupation in Palestine” and accused the administration of suppressing their right to protest.
Jewish Voice for Peace Boston and over a hundred other groups across the country signed a statement against the suspension, aligning with the CAA’s stance on the matter. The war, which began with Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, has led to significant protests on campuses across US.
(With AP inputs)