Supporting Higher Ed and Each Other Amid Escalating Attacks on Free Speech

Dear colleague,

Our unions have always championed free speech and academic freedom. There is no more important moment than now for us to reaffirm those principles and support individuals who are being persecuted for expressing dissenting or unpopular views.

The shooting of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk early this month has led to a frightening escalation in the Trump administration’s crackdown on free speech. Our unions abhor political violence. But in the aftermath of Kirk’s murder, the Trump administration and its allies are using the killing to target their political opponents, often on the basis of social media comments (many of which merely document Kirk’s own words and history).

The witch-hunt being stoked in Kirk’s name has hit close to home: an adjunct faculty member at Rider University was fired for social media comments, apparently after a group calling itself The New Jersey Project targeted state educators. But the crackdown is national, notably in both red and blue states. Unsurprisingly, the brunt has fallen on the most vulnerable on university campuses, including adjunct faculty and international students.

We don’t celebrate Kirk’s death in any way. But as many commentators have written, Kirk should not be lionized as a champion of free speech and tolerance. One of the first actions of Kirk’s Turning Point USA organization in the 2010s was to compile a “Professor Watchlist” designed to urge conservative forces to persecute progressive and left-wing figures on college campuses. Several of our colleagues at Rutgers are on the list and have faced threats to their livelihoods and safety as a result. (Like many such lists, this “watchlist” is disproportionately made up of people of color, who are already more vulnerable to intimidation and violence.)

Now more than ever, we all need to show our commitment to free speech, academic freedom, and solidarity. That means supporting our colleagues who are targeted, whether or not we agree with the content of their speech—and working together to advance our unions’ vision for a better Rutgers and a better society.

What You Can Do

  • Come to a virtual all-union town hall meeting on Tuesday, September 30, at 7:30 p.m. We’ll discuss the fights before us now and in the months to come—and what we need to do to get organized to defend our university from attack, win a fair contract, and make a better Rutgers. Click here to register for the Zoom link.
  • Get involved with your union. When we join together in our union, we are more powerful than we are as individuals—and we can protect each other, our university, and our communities. Click here and fill out the form.
  • Read the national AAUP’s advisory to faculty. Guidance on protecting yourself online.
  • Review our academic freedom resources. Our unions’ Academic Freedom Committee has compiled Rutgers and union statements and policies on academic freedom, classroom resources, digital and online safety guides, and other resources. To work with the Academic Freedom Committee, fill out the Get Involved form or email aaup@rutgersaaup.org.
  • Professional/Occupational Liability Insurance. Our national AFT union offers liability protection for claims or charges arising out of members’ employment activities, including legal defense costs and court judgments. Our locals have purchased this protection to cover all members. Click here to learn more.

In solidarity,
Hank Kalet, Co-Chair, Joint Academic Freedom Committee, Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union
Sean T. Mitchell, Co-Chair, Joint Academic Freedom Committee, Rutgers AAUP-AFT
Whit Strub, Co-Chair, Joint Academic Freedom Committee, Rutgers AAUP-AFT

Other Upcoming Events

Click here for a full calendar: https://rutgersaaup.org/events/

All-Union Town Hall Meeting
We need to discuss the challenges we face as a union and the campaign we need to win a strong contract and a better Rutgers.

Camden Chapter Union Meeting

Postdoc Listening Sessions
Meetings for postdocs to ask any questions you have about Rutgers and get to know your union.

Department Rep/Union Involvement Info Session
Virtual meetings for any union member interested in taking on the role of department rep or another union role—come and ask questions of current reps about their experiences.