NYU bans dozens of pro-Palestinian students, requires pledge to stop protests

As finals begin at colleges across the nation, dozens of New York University law students say

they are banned from their campus unless they agree to no longer protest

31 pro-Palestinian students told The Intercept they received what's called a use-of-space

agreement, which is a document restricting them from protesting. The agreement labels them

persona non grata, or PNG, meaning they can't enter some campus facilities

NYU says the students were a part of a sit-in protest on March 4th and April 29th of this year inside the law library and near the dean's office

The demonstrations were spurred by the suspension of over a dozen students last December after a sit-in protest calling on NYU to divest from Israel

NYU's policy allows certain protests while at the same time banning others, including inside libraries and near classrooms or dorms

According to the university, encampments or overnight protests aren't allowed. They also specify amplified sound isn't allowed either

Students say their protest was on the top floor of the library outside the university president office and not in a restricted space or disrupting student life Students are calling the rules broad

saying they're being used to remove their right to protest and use their free speech

Last month, students sent a letter to NYU leadership, including law school Dean Troy

McKenzie, demanding clarity on their protest policy and what consequences the banned students

will face. Nearly 300 people signed calling for NYU to drop all punishments and allow the students

back on campus. Students met with Dean McKenzie on April 28th, but say they left with no clear

answers. NYU's actions come at the same time as the Department of Education warning universities

to protect Jewish students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. A letter named 60 colleges

across the nation that were potentially in violation of allowing anti-Semitism on campus

NYU was not named in those warnings. NYU has not made any public statements on the students' ban from campus

or about what disciplinary actions they may face. For Straight Hour News, I'm Kaylee Carey

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