AHRC Alarmed By Michigan Attorney General Nessel’s Charges Against Eleven Student Gaza War Protesters:

The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) is extremely alarmed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s pressing charges against eleven student protesters of the Gaza genocide. We see this action by AG Nessel as criminalizing dissent and protest.

AHRC joins the civil rights and human rights community in questioning the motives of AG Nessel in using the awesome power of the state to go after citizens exercising their freedom of speech and right to protest.

AG is using her prosecutorial discretion to upcharge the students. AG Nessel stepping into a local policing and academic issue raises questions about the motivations and agenda of AG Nessel.

We take issue with the way AG Nessel has handled this matter. These protesters are not criminals threatening the State of Michigan and its people. AG Nessel has tarnished these protesters’ reputation by alleging they are criminals pursued by the state. Even complete exoneration does not undo the damage.

AHRC calls upon AG Nessel to re-consider her decision and rescind these charges against the students. Equally so, AHRC calls upon all related municipalities and academic institutions to be tolerant of dissent even when it causes inconvenience to some.

AHRC will continue to monitor this most sensitive and serious matter closely due to its impact on the entire community and the negative ramifications and its chilling effect on basic American freedoms.

“These charges are deeply troubling, in fact it is a scandal for the AG office and the State of Michigan,” said Dr. Ihsan Alkhatib, associate professor at Murray State University and AHRC advisory board member. “These charges relate to matters that are ordinarily handled at the local level. Nessel is choosing to use the power of the state when it is known that she has a position on the issue and she is not an objective state official simply enforcing the law as she sees fit,” added Alkhatib. “These charges raise serious questions about the legitimacy of the AG office when it is used to take sides in a highly emotional matter,” added Alkhatib. “No self-respecting AG would bring these charges,” concluded Alkhatib.