18 | MAY 30 • 2024

PARENTS’ CONCERNS
In the massive email letter campaign
mentioned by Hubbard, parents of
Jewish students expressed anger and
frustration that this year was tainted
by numerous examples from anti-Israel
demonstrations that have endangered
the physical and mental well-being of
Jewish studnts, those who disagree with
the protesters, or those who just want to
learn and earn their degrees.
The letter implored the U-M admin-
istration to take back control of its
campus from the “pro-Palestinian and
anarchistic demonstrators.”
It stated: “We continue to be disap-
pointed in the University of Michigan’s
failure to protect Jewish students and
students of all faiths from the antisemit-
ic harassment and intimidation on your
campus. While many respected univer-
sities are dismantling disruptive pro-
Hamas encampments, refusing to allow
protestors to interfere in the learning
process, and staunchly condemning
antisemitic chants and slurs — you feign

your commitment to the protection,
well-being and freedom from discrimi-
nation of your students. Too often, you
say that you are dedicated to ensuring
the safety of all Michigan students, yet
your inaction and fear of standing up to
bullies speaks volumes.”
The email cautioned the Board of
Regents not to be lulled into compla-
cency by the quiet of summer, and to
recall the months of disruption of class-
es and graduation ceremonies with calls
of “Intifada Revolution” and “From the
River to the Sea.” The email reviewed
the many incidents deemed as hateful
toward Jewish students throughout the
year and asked when the university
would clear the encampment, which
rose on the Diag in April.
The email ended with a plea to the
regents to enforce the university’s code
of conduct and take back control of its
campus from the pro-Palestinian anar-
chists.
It read: “Enforce your code of con-
duct and applicable laws and protect the

rights of all students to an education
free from discrimination and harass-
ment, pursuant to Title VI. Follow the
leads of prestigious schools and disman-
tle encampments; punish, suspend or
expel students who violate your codes of
conduct and campus rules; and prevent
pro-Hamas protestors from taking over
the university campus and spreading
their hate in your classrooms.”
Regarding the “overwhelming
amount” of emails the regents have
received, Hubbard released the follow-
ing statement to the JN in an email:
“Hearing from students, parents and
concerned citizens has been well
received. Letters are an important (and
helpful) way to communicate. No stu-
dent (anywhere) should have to experi-
ence intimidation, threats or fear. I feel
strongly that we must make sure that
isn’t happening. We know it has hap-
pened and we are working to fix this.”

OTHER REGENTS TARGETED
Anti-Israel protesters also encroached
on the property of Regent Jordan
Acker’s Huntington Woods home.
According to news reports, Acker was
home with his wife and three children,
still asleep on May 15 when anti-Israel
demonstrators, their heads wrapped in
keffiyehs, walked up to his front door
and pinned their demands on his porch.
Acker woke around 6 a.m. to alarming
notifications.
The JN reached out to Acker sev-
eral times, but he did not respond to
requests to comment.
After the disruption, Acker released
the following on X: “Harassing UMich
Regents by showing up at their homes
in the middle of the night is unaccept-
able — and masking yourself in the pro-
cess is cowardly. Using fear and intimi-
dation — and plastering your demands
on private residences — is not a form of
peaceful protest.”
To communicate with student pro-
testers, Acker for months invited stu-
dents to email him and meet for coffee.
He has also taken to X, describing
himself, like many American Jews, as
a “devout two-stater” to resolve the

OUR COMMUNITY

continued from page 17

Social media
posts on the
protest at Regent
Hubbard’s home