FBI and local law enforcement raided homes of students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests at the University of Michigan
Human Rights activists and legal experts have slammed the US state of Michigan and the FBI for conducting a "witch hunt" against pro-Palestinian protesters in what they say is an excessive use of force.
On Wednesday, the FBI and local law enforcement agencies raided several homes of both current and former American students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Protests have been ongoing at the campus since Israel launched its war on Gaza following the Hamas-led 7 October 2023 attacks on southern Israel. The demonstrations have called on the university to divest from companies doing business with Israel and Israeli entities.
Amir Makled, an attorney representing some of the students who were targeted, called the raids a "witch hunt" designed to deter students from pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
"I feel this is another intimidation tactic. I feel that this is another way to show an overreaching amount of force that's highly unusual in an attempt to chill the speech of these students and dissuade others from being part of pro-Palestinian advocacy," he told Middle East Eye.
On Thursday, Michigan's attorney general's office released a statement describing "a significant police presence" in the cities of Ann Arbor, Canton and Ypsilanti, where police and federal agents executed search warrants at five locations.
"The search warrants, authorized by the 45th District Court, were executed in furtherance of the Michigan Department of Attorney General's yearlong investigation into coordinated criminal acts of vandalism and property damage occurring in multiple counties in southeastern Michigan," the statement said.
The statement included more than a dozen photographs showing homes -including those of University of Michigan president Santa Ono and the school's regent Jordan Acker - and cars painted with red graffiti saying "Coward" and "Divest. Free Palestine."
Other properties painted with graffiti slamming Israel and smeared with red paint included a historical mansion, a Raymond James office and a Maersk office. (more...)
Lawyers slam Michigan for 'intimidating' pro-Palestinian students with raids
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