American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten recently penned a Labor Perspective that appear in Education International:

President Donald Trump has declared war on America’s colleges and universities, demanding they bow to his demands on what they can teach and whom they can admit or hire.

Trump’s illegal and autocratic actions are tantamount to a war on knowledge intended to force schools to bend the knee to his ideology and chill free speech and academic pursuit.

Trump says much of his attack on Higher Education is in response to antisemitism on campuses.

Without a doubt, there was antisemitism before the heinous actions by Hamas on October 7th and the ensuing war, and it has grown since.

We need to address antisemitism on campus and ensure Jewish students, and all students, feel safe.

But Trump is weaponizing antisemitism investigations to attack disfavored speech and stoke culture wars, distrust and division, and to undermine Higher Education as a bulwark of Democracy and an engine of our economy.

It’s wrong, anti-Democratic and unconstitutional.

The Administration is using Jews as an excuse to disappear students who are here legally, with Immigration Officials arresting and attempting to deport students who have committed no crimes - without due process, a linchpin of American Democracy.

This may help Trump’s aim to divide Americans, but it won’t make campuses safer for Jewish students or answer the real issues around antisemitism.

That’s one reason that a coalition of Jewish Organizations released a statement saying that Trump’s actions make Jewish students and the Jewish Community less safe.

Trump has launched investigations into dozens of colleges and universities and stripped billions in research grants from schools.

The Administration has issued demands ranging from direct government oversight of academic programs - or in the case of Columbia University, oversight of the whole institution - to dictating disciplinary policies and controlling hiring decisions.

It is targeting students for exercising their First Amendment rights and revoking visas for Faculty and Staff.

The Administration’s intent is to remake America’s Higher Education System in its image through blunt force.

The freedom to pursue knowledge, the freedom of expression and the freedom of speech are fundamental American rights that are foundational to a functioning Democracy.

To Continue Reading This Labor Perspective, Go To: Higher education under attack

File Photo Courtesy Of redriverunited.org.