LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — A year after a pro-Palestinian tent encampment called on Wayne State University to cut ties with Israel and defense contractors, a group of students and alumni are now suing the school—claiming their rights were violated when the university shut it down.
Filed June 24 in federal court, the lawsuit stems from a May 2024 encampment on WSU’s Detroit campus. The demonstration, which disrupted classes and drew national attention, ended after police cleared the site and arrested a dozen protesters—five of whom later had charges dropped for lack of evidence.
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The lawsuit names the university, its police department, the dean and assistant dean of students, and seven campus officers, according to The Detroit News. Plaintiffs include four current students, three recent graduates, and one parent. They are seeking damages and a jury trial.
The suit alleges violations of the First, Fourth, and 14th Amendments. According to the complaint, the university targeted “peaceful student protests” and engaged in retaliation and discrimination based on the plaintiffs’ “faith, race, and ethnicity” as well as their political views.
“Defendants retaliated and discriminated … in violation of Plaintiffs’ free speech, due process, and equal protection rights,” the complaint reads.
WSU officials declined to comment on the litigation but defended the university’s broader approach.
“We will continue to support the rights of all students,” WSU spokesperson Matt Lockwood said. “We will also continue to ensure that conduct on our campus does not violate the law … or disrupt university operations.”
Among the plaintiffs are current students Nuzmeya Abdrabboh, Caleb Mallery, Jackson Robak, and Jenna Sukkar; recent graduates Ayah Abuelenain and Ridaa Khan; and Abuelenain’s mother, Saeida Marini. Khan was a member of Students for Justice in Palestine.
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The protest, which prompted WSU to temporarily move classes online, is one of several U.S. campus demonstrations over the Israel-Gaza war that have sparked legal battles and police responses.