ACLU Calls for Reinstatement of Students Suspended from University of Illinois Paper
CONTACT: media@aclu.org
Freedom of Speech in Jeopardy as Students are Penalized for Publishing Controversial Cartoons
NEW YORK - The American Civil
Liberties Union today called upon the University of Illinois to reinstate the
editor in chief and opinions page editor of the student newspaper, the Daily
Illini, who were suspended after reprinting a series of controversial cartoons
satirizing the Prophet Muhammad.
"While we certainly understand the
sensitivities surrounding the publication of explosive and controversial
content," said Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the ACLU. "It has been
the long-standing belief of the ACLU that the best response to speech we find
odious and noxious is more speech - not less."
In a letter sent today to the
Chancellor of the University, the ACLU expressed concern and disagreement with
the decision to suspend the two students from their positions and noted that
upholding the premise of free speech, many universities, including the
University of North Carolina, Arizona State University and the University of
Arizona, have published the cartoons without any retribution against students or
the publications involved.
The ACLU has a long and demonstrated commitment
to protecting free speech, as well as the rights of Muslims, Arabs and Asians in
the post-9/11 context. The organization urges the University of Illinois to
further a dialogue with students and faculty, and reach out to Muslim and Arab
students to address issues of concern to those students.
"We understand that
the publication of the anti-Muslim cartoons presents vexing issues for a
democracy, but we also believe that that is the price of an open society," added
Romero. "Democracy means a great many things to a great many people. But it must
never be a quiet business."
The ACLU's letter to the Chancellor of the
University of Illinois is available online at: www.aclu.org/freespeech/censorship/24196lgl20060217.html