CAIR Names UC Berkeley, Wayne State Hostile to Muslim, Pro-Palestinian Speech

The University of California, Berkeley has been designated by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a 'hostile campus' for Muslim students and those advocating pro-Palestinian views due to reported racial discrimination, suppression of free speech, and selective enforcement of policies that chill protected expression. CAIR's designation highlights incidents including increased policing and surveillance of Palestinian protests, failure to protect students and faculty from harassment, and alleged discriminatory treatment by university officials. A lawsuit against UC Berkeley alleges national origin discrimination after an Israeli professor was denied a teaching role following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, with an internal investigation confirming the discrimination. Similarly, Wayne State University has been labeled a hostile campus by CAIR for repressing Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, and allied students, including dismantling protests and arresting demonstrators, alongside restricted student and faculty input in university governance. Both universities have been criticized for failing to uphold free speech and equal protection, with calls from students and advocacy groups for improved campus climates. UC Berkeley officials insist on their commitment to free speech and an inclusive environment, while CAIR and affected students urge accountability and reform.