The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a federal lawsuit Monday against the University of Michigan, challenging the institution's "trespass ban" policy that has barred five pro-Palestinian protesters from campus.
The lawsuit targets the university's practice of issuing broad campus bans to protesters, including two current students, two recent graduates, and a community member. None of the individuals were formally charged with crimes related to their protest activities.
Among the plaintiffs is Jonathan Zou, a second-year student who was arrested and banned from all University of Michigan campuses last October after using a megaphone during a pro-Palestinian march. While Zou can still attend classes and seek medical care, he remains restricted from other campus activities.
The ACLU argues that the university violated protesters' free speech rights and "abused its authority to ban people from public property." The lawsuit also challenges the university's recently adopted anti-disruption policy, which prohibits activities that interfere with campus operations.
The legal action comes amid heightened tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict, particularly notable in Michigan's metro Detroit area, home to substantial Arab American and Jewish communities. Last week, the university suspended a pro-Palestinian student group for two years and withdrew its funding over alleged conduct violations.
The trespass bans, typically lasting one year, restrict individuals from entering university property, including sidewalks, roads, and assembly areas. According to the lawsuit, the bans have severely impacted the plaintiffs' daily lives, affecting their education, work, and ability to engage in peaceful protest.
The university's current appeals process allows banned individuals two opportunities to challenge the restrictions - an initial hearing within seven days and a subsequent appeal if they can demonstrate changed circumstances.
A University of Michigan spokesperson indicated they had not yet been served with the lawsuit and declined to comment on the matter.