Detroit Evening Report: Faith leaders protest ‘police brutality’ against pro-Palestinian students on WSU campus

More than two dozen faith leaders gathered at Wayne State University on Monday to pray and to protest what they call “police brutality” against students who were part of a pro-Palestinian encampment in May.  

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Student and President of the Muslim Coalition, Ali Hassan, says the university has not lived up to its principles of freedom of speech.  

“The only thing they want is to intimidate Muslims. They want to intimidate pro-Palestinians, they want to intimidate each and every single person who speaks up for justice,” Hassan said.

Faith leaders also sent a letter to Wayne State President Kimberly Andrews Espy, Provost Laurie Clabo, and the Board of Governors, to express disappointment with the recent conduct of university leadership. 

The letter also asks officials to meet with members of Students for Justice in Palestine and to refrain from using militarized force against students in the future.  

Reporting by WDET’s Amanda LeClaire.

Other headlines for Monday, July 15, 2024:

• The Department of Homeland Security has extended the redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for people from Yemen. 
• The state health department reports a mild uptick in COVID-19 this summer.
• The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports there have been six measles cases this year in the state, with the most recent case reported last week in Macomb County.
• The nonprofit Rising Voices has launched an  “Asian American Census”  for Michigan.

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