(NEW YORK CITY) – In the latest assault on First Amendment Rights, Columbia University has expelled and fired Grant Miner, the President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2710, which represents thousands of Columbia Student Workers - one day before contract negotiations were set to open with the University.

The shocking move is part of a wave of crackdowns on free speech against students and Workers who have spoken out and protested for peace and against the war on Gaza.

As the UAW has emphasized, the assault on First Amendment Rights is being jointly committed by the Federal Government and Columbia University are an attack on all Workers who dare to protest, speak out, or exercise their freedom of association under the U.S. Constitution.

It is no accident that this comes days after the Federal Government froze Columbia’s funding and threatened to pull funding from 60 other Universities across the country, the UAW said.

And it is no accident the firing occurred the day before contract negotiations begin, it added.

The University is targeting a Union Leader whose Local went on Strike in the last round of bargaining.

It is no accident that this is happening at Columbia University, where Student Workers won back the right to collectively bargain in 2016.

Trade Unionists - everywhere, defenders of the U.S. Constitution, of freedom of speech, of academic freedom and of the right of free association, should be appalled and disgusted by the behavior of Columbia University, and should take it for the clear signal it is, the UAW said.

If they can come for Graduate Workers - if they can arrest, deport, expel or imprison Union Leaders and Activists for their protected political speech, then they can come for you.

For your contract.

For your paycheck.

For your family.

And for your rights.

UAW Local 2710 is mobilizing a response and is calling on Working Class Allies and Americans of good conscience to speak out and stand up against this gross injustice.

To Directly Access This Labor News Story, Go To: In Shocking Move, Columbia University Fires Union President One Day Before Contract Negotiations Begin, in Further Crackdown on Free Speech - UAW | United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America

File Photo Courtesy Of People's World.