UC Berkeley designated as ‘hostile campus’ by Muslim civil rights group: Here’s why

BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) — UC Berkeley has long been known as the home of the free speech movement.

It’s a campus that prides itself on its diversity and has a history of free speech protests and academic freedom. But now, it’s being called into question.

“It too has demonstrated a pattern of hostility toward Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and other members of its community,” said Jeff Wang, CAIR SFBA Civil Rights Managing Attorney.

On Tuesday, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a prominent Muslim civil rights group, designated UC Berkeley a “hostile campus.”

In the past, CAIR has also designated Stanford University as a hostile campus

CAIR says that’s because of reported negative treatment of students with Pro-Palestinian views.

“The school has also repeatedly subjected students who protest genocide to censorship and disciplinary measures— up to and including arrest or suspension,” said Wang.

Since the Israel Hamas War broke out in October 2023, many Cal students and faculty have advocated for Palestinian rights and criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

But CAIR says the campus increased policing, expanded surveillance, and enforced policies that seemed to suppress free speech rights.

The group also says UC Berkeley failed to protect students and faculty from harassment and retaliation.

“Myself and my anti-Zioinist Jewish friends have been called fake Jews countless times at various demo over the last 2 years,” said August Davis, a UCB Student.

Some students say they’re worried about their own safety.

“When I was walking to class wearing a keffiyeh (headscarf), a student took the unjustified liberty of shoving a camera into my face in attempt to dox me, laughing and yelling that I support terrorists. I was utterly shocked and disturbed by the situation because where is this so-called assurance of safety?” said Habiba Geweifal, a recent UC Berkeley graduate. “The administration didn’t lift a finger to our safety.”

CAIR is calling on alumni and others to stop making donations to UC Berkeley until they see improvement in the campus climate and action take by UC Berkeley administrators.

UC Berkeley representatives responded today saying:

“UC Berkeley has an unwavering commitment to free speech, and to effectively confronting harassment and discrimination of every sort. The campus is dedicated to supporting a community where all can thrive and feel a true sense of belonging without regard for their identities, origins, or beliefs. Berkeley’s leadership works closely with the members of the campus’s Advisory Committee on Muslim and Palestinian Student Life in order to understand and address those communities’ needs and interests. “