Across the country, students are speaking out on urgent human rights issues, including war, refugee and migrant rights, trans rights, racial justice, and reproductive rights.
At the same time, the Trump administration is threatening college and university funding if schools do not capitulate to the administration’s demands about multiple facets of college and university life. The Trump administration has tried to dictate what colleges and universities can teach; undermined efforts to create inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ youth; attempted to ban programs to promote racial justice, equity, inclusion and belonging; and has sought to limit what speech colleges and universities allow from students.
Some colleges have curtailed freedom of expression and peaceful protest, suspended or expelled students, censored speech, and canceled events. Others have ended programs focused on promoting diversity, equity and inclusion; rescinded policies that support LGBTQ+ students; or limited student participation in extracurricular activities.
Our rights are under attack. Our school leaders need to hear from us.
No one should be punished for peaceful protest; no one should be threatened for exercising free speech; and no one should be deported for speaking out for human rights. All students should feel like they belong on their campus and are free to be themselves without being harassed or singled out. Our schools must fight to protect our rights – and refuse to collaborate in the government’s attacks on our campus.
Your voice matters, and you matter.
Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have teamed up to help students defend their campuses from the Trump administration. Together, we are working to create a “firewall” for students against these attacks on our rights.
We are working with students across the country to introduce and pass campus resolutions that call on their campus administrations to defend the rights of students and refuse to voluntarily collaborate with the Trump administration’s attacks on free speech, academic freedom, and inclusive learning environments.
This toolkit, combined with support from AIUSA and ACLU, provides you with tools and resources to advance a resolution on your campus.
Download the Campus Resolution Toolkit
Your voice matters, and you matter.