A group of former University of Michigan (UMich) employees has filed a lawsuit in Michigan federal court, accusing the university of unlawfully firing them and barring them from future employment due to their involvement in pro-Palestine protests.
The plaintiffs, which include one full-time worker and seven student workers, claim their dismissal was a direct result of their advocacy for Palestinian human rights and their calls for the university to divest from Israel. In the lawsuit, filed Thursday, the former employees allege they were targeted for their participation in demonstrations, including a sit-in at the university president’s office in November 2023 and a protest outside the university’s art museum in May 2024.
“These workers were dedicated to their jobs and engaged in peaceful demonstrations advocating for human rights,” said John Philo, Executive Director of the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice, which represents the plaintiffs. “The University of Michigan is attempting to suppress speech and political expression by firing employees and banning them from future employment simply for voicing pro-Palestinian viewpoints. These actions violate fundamental freedoms protected by the First Amendment.”
The lawsuit alleges that the disciplinary actions taken against the workers were baseless, with no evidence presented to substantiate the claims that they violated university policies, such as the “violence on campus” policy. According to the complaint, the grievance process was rushed and unfair, with the university’s actions being predetermined to punish the workers for their involvement in the protests.
The former workers also point to an escalating pattern of punitive measures by the university, including retaining external consultants to monitor and discipline students and employees engaging in pro-Palestinian speech and activism. They claim the university’s response to protests in support of Palestine has become increasingly hostile, with the administration using tactics to silence dissent and deter others from participating in similar activities.
The workers are suing for violations of their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, including freedom of speech, association, and due process. They are seeking reinstatement to their positions, along with compensatory and punitive damages.
The lawsuit follows a broader pattern of legal actions against the university related to its handling of pro-Palestine protests. In recent months, other groups have filed similar complaints, alleging violations of their rights to free speech and protest in connection with demonstrations in support of Palestinians.
The plaintiffs are represented by John C. Philo, Liz Jacob, and Anthony D. Paris of the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice, as well as Christopher Godshall-Bennett of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.
