Durham, NC — On April 4, 2025, seven students and faculty members’ protest in support of Palestinian liberation, initially charged as “disruptive” by Duke University, was found to not merit disciplinary action by Duke’s University Judicial Board. The accused welcomed the decision after months of disruption to their academic careers, as they spent evenings and weekends preparing for their hearing before the Judicial Board. 

The charges stem from a November 19, 2024, protest where members of the Duke community gathered on West Campus to oppose a visit by the former attorney general of the Israeli government, which is credibly accused of war crimes and genocide against Palestinians. The protesters engaged in civic discourse, teach-ins, and common chants for a “Free Palestine.” 

In response, Duke initiated disciplinary proceedings under its recently revised Pickets, Protests, and Demonstrations (PPD) policy—an unprecedented step that is illustrative of the Palestine Exception to free speech and raises significant concerns about academic freedom and suppression of dissent. 

Conversely, in 2016, when students occupied administrative space in protest over wages and working conditions, Duke declined to bring disciplinary charges. In fact, it appears that the University Judicial Board has never been convened previously to consider disciplinary action for a protest, indicating disparate treatment from Duke against the protesters, based on their association with Palestinian identity and their speech supporting Palestinian lives.

At the hearing, the accused demonstrated that Duke had failed to identify any specific conduct by them that violates any specific policy, and they presented compelling evidence that none of them engaged in behavior that caused any disruption to anyone or to any classes.

“Duke’s use of unclear charges and post-hoc evidence to seek to discipline against these individuals under its PPD policy because they expressed support for Palestinian lives sets a troubling precedent” said Reem Subei, senior staff attorney at Muslim Advocates and lead counsel in the case. “Universities should be places of open inquiry and moral courage, not censorship and retaliation.” 

In recent months, Muslim Advocates has seen a sharp increase in discriminatory and retaliatory measures taken against students, faculty, and staff who speak out for Palestinian lives. Muslim Advocates will continue to stand with students and faculty who are targeted for speaking out, and we call on Duke and all universities to reaffirm their commitment to academic freedom, the right to protest, and dissent.