This week, a U-M full-time staff member was fired for their involvement in a lawful protest in May of 2024, months before they were hired at the university. They have never faced any charges for their involvement; nor were any flags raised during this person’s hiring process, which included a routine background check; nor were their supervisors consulted on these proceedings. Several other student employees have received work suspensions now and are likely awaiting termination as well.

This makes the termination of employment an unprecedented escalation to any alleged violation of University guidelines, robbing the staff member of their right to due process. This is a clear, and unacceptable violation of the staff member's right to free speech and employment protection, consistent with University's continued repression of any dissent.