To: Columbus Attorney Zach Klein; OSU Department of Public Safety (Director Monica Moll); OSU Police Division (Director Kimberly Spears-McNatt); Ohio State Highway Patrol (Colonel Charles A. Jones); Franklin County Prosecutor (G. Gary Tyack); OSU President Walter Carter;
CC: Columbus Division of Police (Chief Elaine Bryant); Columbus City Council; Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther; Franklin County Commissioners; OSU Board of Trustees; Reporters; Franklin County state representatives and senators
The right to free speech, freedom to assemble, and the peaceful practice of religion are fundamental tenets of democracy in this country, included both in the U.S. Constitution and the Ohio Constitution. They have shaped the fabric of our society, ensuring the people have the liberty to express themselves and their plurality of worldviews.
The undersigned organizations and individuals represent a comprehensive cross-section of the Columbus community and the associated Ohio State community, including local non-profits & businesses, OSU Alumni, Columbus residents, and other individuals and entities connected to Central Ohio. Together, we believe we should be taking all action possible to preserve the rights that make our democracy functional, rather than undercutting them.
On April 25, 2024, students, faculty, alumni, and community members gathered at the Ohio State University in solidarity with the Palestinian people, both the Palestinian community of Central Ohio and those who continue to suffer in Gaza. The student organizers of multiple faiths and nationalities led attendees in songs and prayer, and the crowd never left the South Oval, a public space across from the Ohio Union. Late in the evening, as the crowd shrunk, police violated the rights of those gathered, arresting dozens of people while they peacefully prayed.
We, the undersigned organizations, vehemently object to the actions of the Ohio State University, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and OSU Police. No matter the issue, students should be permitted to peacefully organize and express themselves in public spaces.
Collectively, we encourage every decision-maker receiving this letter to do all of the following:
- Drop all charges for any individual detained due to the incidents at Ohio State on April 24th and 25th, 2024
- Allow student organizers to peacefully assemble in public spaces at Ohio State, exercising their rights to free speech and religion, ceasing all further action against such assemblies at Ohio State and in Columbus
- Join the Columbus City Council’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza, ending the violence against the Palestinian people and creating a pathway to statehood and permanent peace.
We should be encouraging students—the future generations of our city, the future employees of our organizations and companies, the future leaders of our world—to consistently exercise their constitutional rights. The actions of the Ohio State University, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the OSU Police unreasonably and unlawfully restricted those rights. The decision-makers who allowed such arrests to happen must take immediate action to undo the damage they’ve already wrought.
The Columbus community must do better.
In solidarity,
SIGNATORY ORGANIZATIONS
AAMP Ohio
OPAWL – Building AAPI Feminist Leadership
Ohio Working Families Party
Ohio Student Association
Innovation Ohio
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
Ohio Women’s Alliance
Abortion Fund of Ohio
Ohio Families Unite Against Police Brutality
Ohio Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild
Muslim American Society- Columbus Chapter
National Association of Social Workers, Ohio Chapter
Moritz ACLU
Progressive Peace Coalition
Pal-Awda Ohio
Jewish Voice for Peace Central Ohio
Ahlulbayt Society
Motherful
Open Cover Books
Olive Tree Catering
Ask a Muslim
Southwest Ohio Pain Institute
Tyler Tactics Consulting
The National Residence Hall Honorary – Buckeye Chapter
Chagrin Valley Islamic Center
Gem City Action
Islamic Society of East Columbus
Infinite Smiles Dental
Surdawi Investments
My Project USA
OSU STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Moritz National Lawyers Guild
Moritz Law Students for Justice in Palestine
Palestinian Women’s Association
Arab Student Union
Alpha Lambda Mu
OSU STUDENTS & ALUMNI
Ohio State Alumni for Palestine
OSU FACULTY / STAFF
[NAMES]
OTHER SIGNERS
[NAMES]