COLUMBIA, Mo. — A lawsuit is in the works against Mun Choi, the President of the University of Missouri. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is set to discuss this in a press conference at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Elm Street and South Ninth Street in downtown Columbia.
The lawsuit stems from the university’s decision to exclude the Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) from the 2024 homecoming parade. This exclusion came after their float application was initially approved by both the parade committee and the Mizzou Alumni Association. SJP planned to celebrate Palestinian culture with traditional dance and give out Palestinian candy, along with banners that read “Ceasefire Now” and “Stop the Genocide.”
However, after a meeting with university officials, where Choi attended, SJP learned their application was subject to an unusual review process. All student groups typically follow a different protocol. Just three days before the event, Choi denied their application, citing concerns about safety based on events involving SJP at other universities.
Isleen Atallah, a former president of the group, disputed this reasoning, arguing that their organization had no connection to the disturbances that occurred elsewhere. CAIR plans to argue that Choi’s decision violated the First Amendment, claiming it amounted to viewpoint discrimination.
Ahmad Kaki, a staff attorney with CAIR, emphasized, “The homecoming parade was an open forum for community organizations to express their messages.” He noted that allowing diverse perspectives is essential for a healthy discourse.
The University of Missouri maintains that its decision was a safety measure. Christopher Ave, a university spokesperson, pointed out that past disturbances involving SJP elsewhere factored into their decision. Additionally, he claimed that a senior leader from SJP had previously been involved in troubling behavior on campus.
The lawsuit aims for a court ruling that the university’s actions were unconstitutional, as well as compensation for SJP’s efforts in preparation for the parade.
Historically, similar issues of free speech and selective inclusion have been prominent on college campuses across the U.S. For instance, a recent survey by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) found that 65% of college students feel they must self-censor their views. This reflects a growing concern about open dialogue on campuses.
As the situation develops, the outcomes may have broader implications for free speech in educational environments. SJP has already submitted another application for the 2025 homecoming parade, hoping to share their message once again.
For more context on campus free speech issues, you can check the FIRE report.
