Our hearts broke this weekend as we watched expressions of racism, anti-Semitism, and hatred on the University of Virginia campus result in violence. We are especially saddened by the death of one activist and the wounding of others. Expressions of racism and hatred paired with violent actions are not new in our country. Our history shows that marchers armed with guns and sticks, carrying shields and torches, and chanting Nazi slogans have but one purpose: to strike fear and terror in the hearts of people of color, immigrants, Jews, Muslims, and all who believe in a more inclusive America.
To remain silent in the face of hatred is to be complicit in that hatred. Therefore, we will not remain silent while white supremacists, emboldened by the rhetoric of the Trump administration, perpetrate violence and incite bigotry. After equivocating, the President has finally denounced the KKK, the Nazis, and other white supremacist groups. But he and his administration must do more. We call on the Trump administration to use all of the forces at its disposal to bring to justice those involved in fomenting violence and terror. Further, we call on the President and his administration to denounce all attempts to equate nonviolent protests like Black Lives Matter with violent hate groups.

We decry the violence, the discrimination, and the attempts to intimidate, silence, and harm our students, educators, and community members. We reject racism and white supremacy. We stand with students, educators, their families, and communities across the country working for equitable and welcoming environments where it is safe to exist, learn, and peacefully disagree and debate. We will work with faculty members, students, and college leaders, uniting and organizing with allies and in our communities to resist hate and fight for a just society.

Rudy Fichtenbaum, AAUP president
Henry Reichman, AAUP first vice president

Constant and insidious.

That pretty well describes attacks on the rights of academics to conduct research free from political surveillance and intrusion. The latest salvos come from two reactionary websites, The Daily Caller and The College Fix. Both attacked our work in the courts supporting faculty members who have been subjected to relentless public records requests for e-mails related to their climate research.

An article published on The Daily Caller, a website founded by Tucker Carlson of Fox News, claimed that the AAUP “doesn’t want . . . unpublished climate change research seen by the public.” The College Fix, which is funded in large part by a conservative foundation whose biggest donors are members of the DeVos family, published a piece in a similar vein.

They’re wrong.

Here are the facts: Our legal and advocacy work around this issue involves fighting requests that seek prepublication communications and other unpublished academic research materials, cases where compelled disclosure would have a severe chilling effect on intellectual debate among researchers and scientists. The academic freedom to conduct research is essential to a vital university system and to the common good. The AAUP and its members will continue to fight for those ideals, no matter how constant the attacks.

Those fighting against academic freedom are seeking to divide and conquer. Our goal is to unite and win. Together we can do that.

Donate now to the AAUP Foundation to help support our legal work fighting for academic freedom.

American Association of University Professors