STOP THE ESCALATING ATTACKS ON FREE SPEECH @ NEIU!
DROP ALL THE CHARGES AGAINST STUDENT ACTIVISTS!

(See below for how to show your solidarity!)

The administration of Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) continues to escalate its attack on free speech—and its own students. The administration is now pursuing campus disciplinary actions against students Ken Barrios and Matt Larson—which could result in expulsion or suspension from campus.

This is an unacceptable attack on free speech. Matt Larson and Ken Barrios are guilty of nothing more than peaceful protest of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). We are asking for your solidarity to defend free speech and activists from campus repression (see below).

THE SETUP:

* On February 21, 2007, Dean of Students Michael Kelly sent an e-mail to “student leaders” to the effect that students were welcome to protest upcoming military and CIA recruitment events on campus.

* On February 28—Ken Barrios and Matt Larson took part in a protest along with five other members of the NEIU Campus Antiwar Network. When the students tried to enter the school-sponsored meeting with the CIA, Robin Wagner, Chief Clerk of the Placement Office physically tried to prevent the students from getting into the meeting. Wagner claimed that they needed “reservations” to attend the meeting—but Dean Kelly’s e-mail to student leaders said nothing to that effect.

* When Barrios and Larson tried to open the door to the meeting, the police pounced on them. Larson was tackled and roughed up by campus police. The school has pressed criminal charges for “disrupting” a campus event. Wagner has filed separate charges of “battery” against Larson and Barrios.

* THE BOGUS CHARGES: In a statement signed by five witnesses of the event, students have made it clear that the charge of battery is completely bogus. The statement reads in part: “As [Barrios] reached for the door, Wagner jumped in his way, blocking him from entry, and two NEIU officers immediately detained him, with no warning, no explicit reason for the arrest, and no reading of Barrio's Miranda Rights….There was no visible, physical contact used by Larson on Wagner—and there could not possibly have been in order for him to have entered the room. As he entered, the third police officer barged in and took Larson to the ground, and cuffed him—again with no warning, no explicit reason for arrest, and no reading of his Miranda Rights.”

* For more information, read the students statement in the NEIU Independent newspaper: www.neiuindependent.org or visit the Campus Antiwar Network website at www.campusantiwar.net

* ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACKS AND ESCALATION: Students, antiwar activists, faculty and staff have refused to accept this attack on free speech. Students have organized press conferences, protests, petitioning and other events to show their support for Matt and Ken. With campus opinion turning against the administration, they are now going after Matt and Ken on campus disciplinary charges—which could lead to suspension, expulsion or other disciplinary actions. The first disciplinary hearing will be on Monday, April 9 @ NEIU @ 10am.

**** WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP****

CALL DEAN KELLY’S OFFICE

Please phone, fax and e-mail Dean Kelly’s office and politely ask them to drop these bogus criminal and campus charges NOW.

Michael Kelly
E-mail: M-Kelly2 (at) neiu.edu
Dean of Students; Office B119; Phone (773)-442-4610
Dean of Students Fax (773)-442-4615

PROTEST ON APRIL 9 AT NEIU

“Defend Free Speech! Drop ALL the charges!”

Monday, April 9 at NEIU (near the Village Square—in the “quad” outside) @ 9:30am

Come out, show your support for free speech and demand ALL the charges (both the criminal and campus charges) be dropped! The protest will be held right before and during the first disciplinary hearing.

SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION

Sign the Online Petition: www.ipetitions.com/petition/neiufreespeech/