Students Protest Across Europe, Demand Free Speech Reforms

Recent incidents across multiple universities spotlight the ongoing battle for free speech on campuses in the U.S. Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student activist at Columbia University, was arrested amid a crackdown on anti-Israel protests, igniting concerns about the chilling effect on academic freedom. Meanwhile, University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman addressed federal guidance that could impact affirmative action policies, emphasizing the need to protect academic freedom while navigating potential funding cuts from the Trump administration. In Serbia, large student-led protests demanding transparency and accountability have faced serious violations of free speech, including harassment of journalists. These events reflect a broader discourse on free speech, as educational institutions grapple with external pressures and internal policies. The discussions around these protests and institutional responses underline the critical importance of safeguarding freedom of expression in academia.