Protect the CWRU 11: Stop Criminalizing Student Protest

CWRU students who stood up on November 8, 2024 to protest their university’s complicity in the genocide in Gaza are now facing further university punishment even after serving legal consequences. The university is threatening to expel the students, withholding their degrees and future opportunities unless they “cooperate” with further punitive measures.

This is part of a larger pattern of CWRU’s repression of student voices on Palestine, and comes amid an ongoing U.S. Department of Education Title VI investigation for anti-Palestinian racism.

We must stand with these students. We must protect their right to protest. We must demand amnesty, not punishment.

Ways You Can Support the CWRU 11

  • Contact CWRU Administration

    Tell the university: Drop all additional sanctions. Grant full amnesty.

    Scripts & Contacts

  • Donate to the Legal Defense Fund

    Support the students in covering legal and restitution costs.

    Donate Here

  • Amplify the Message

    Follow and share posts from student organizers and allies.

    - Repost on social media.
    - Bring attention to how CWRU is silencing dissent.

    Follow Here

  • Show Up

    CWRU students are planning actions in the coming weeks to defend their classmates.

    - Watch for mobilization calls.
    - Bring your friends.
    - Be loud. Be visible.

    Stay in the Loop

Call Script

“Hi, my name is [your name], and I’m a [student / alum / community member / concerned individual].

I’m calling to express my deep concern about the university’s decision to further punish the students involved in the November 8, 2024 protest. These students have already gone through legal proceedings and restitution, any additional disciplinary action is unjust and unnecessary.

I urge CWRU to:

  • Grant these students full amnesty

  • Restore their academic standing

  • Respect their right to protest and free expression

Continuing to criminalize students for speaking out about genocide only reinforces the university’s pattern of anti-Palestinian discrimination — something already under federal investigation.

Please do the right thing: drop these sanctions and protect your students.

Thank you for taking my call.”

Contacts

Eric Kaler, President

216.368.5094 | president@case.edu

Gregory Harris, Dean of Students:

216.368.1527 | gregory.j.harris@case.edu

George O'Connell, Associate Dean of Students & Director

216.368.3170 | studentconduct@case.edu

Travis Apgar, Vice President for Student Affairs

216.368.2021 | travis.apgar@case.edu

Email Script

Subject: Amnesty for the CWRU 11

Dear [Name],

I am a concerned [student/professor/employee/community member] of Case Western Reserve University.

I write to you today to ask that you implement a policy of amnesty for the students involved in the protest of November 8, 2024. The sanction of expulsion or withholding degrees is excessive, particularly considering these students have already gone through legal proceedings and agreed to restitution.

For over two years, CWRU has failed to meaningfully engage with its student body on Palestine. This has led to a Title VI investigation for anti-Palestinian racism. Punishing these students further only reinforces this pattern of injustice.

I urge you to do the right thing: grant amnesty, restore their academic standing, and protect their right to protest.

Sincerely,  

[Your Name]

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