ICSC Statement: We Condemn Violence Against Students and Acts Denying Freedom of Speech & Expression
In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
May 2, 2024
Islamic Center of Southern California Condemns Violence Against Students and Acts Denying Freedom of Speech & Expression
Los Angeles, CA In recent days, media platforms have been flooded with visuals, updates, and social media content documenting violence against university students protesting the genocide actively taking place in Gaza and calling on their universities to take action and divest their programs and endowments from entities and companies that support the occupation. Violence in the forms of pepper spray, mace, illegal bear spray, throwing of fireworks, penetration of barricades, and hitting of students with objects, have left many injured or hospitalized, in addition to verbal abuse and disturbance of what was once a peaceful protest. This escalation is a result of an unwillingness of the Universities to protect free speech and safety of those protesting and Universities should if anything be dedicated to protecting their students.
Protesting and pushing universities to divest has a long history in the U.S. In the 1980s students led movements to have their universities divest from South Africa to protest apartheid. These protests have elicited diverse reactions from institutions and law enforcement agencies.
The Islamic Center of Southern California (ICSC) strongly condemns violence against students and acts against freedom of speech & expression. Once again, we witness with grave concern the disproportionate measures to protect students and unnecessary tactics used by institutions to suppress voices advocating for justice and humanity. As our holy book states:
O you who believe, be upright for God, and be bearers of witness with justice! (Quran, 5:8)
"You who believe, uphold justice and bear witness to God, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives. Whether the person is rich or poor, God can best take care of both. Refrain from following your own desire, so that you can act justly- if you distort or neglect justice, God is fully aware of what you do." (Quran, 4:135)
In recent demonstrations across our nation, individuals exercising their fundamental right to assemble, and protest have been met with violence and harsh suppression. Such actions not only infringe upon their rights but also perpetuates a cycle of violence and creates fear, anxiety and oppression within our communities.
As an institution committed to fostering compassion, justice, and understanding, the Islamic Center of Southern California stands in solidarity with all those who seek to challenge injustice and inequality through peaceful means.
We also believe in the power of dialogue, empathy, and collective action to address societal grievances and create positive change.
ICSC reiterates its unwavering commitment to advocating for the safety and rights of the oppressed and marginalized, irrespective of their race, religion, or background. We call upon authorities to protect all communities and respect the rights of protestors and uphold the principles of democracy and human dignity.
We are heartened at displays of solidarity we have witnessed, images of faculty supporting and protecting their students, seeing individuals act as protective barriers around praying students, seeing Jewish student demonstrators celebrate Passover Seder while in the encampments and supporting the student movement for Gaza, and seeing all the interfaith solidarity in this movement.
We urge individuals with the ability to do so to reach out to university leaders to ask that they protect all students from physical and verbal harm and to uphold the rights of students using their freedom of expression to oppose injustice. Implore them to ensure safety for all students and to reconsider their choice to forcibly dismantle encampments. If you are an alumnus of a university where a student movement is happening, please contact your university. Your alumni voice matters!
As these student movements across the nation remind us how imperative it is that we unite in our condemnation of violence and oppression and work towards building a more just and equitable society for all. The Islamic Center of Southern California remains steadfast in its dedication to promoting peace, understanding, and social justice in our communities and humanity at large.
For all media inquiries please contact ICSC spokesperson:
Omar Ricci at (818) 679-8869
May God guide us all as we strive only for His cause.
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