All people have the right to say what they think, share information, and demand a better world. No one should be punished for peaceful protest; no one should be threatened for exercising free speech; and no one should be deported for speaking out for human rights. All community members should feel like they belong on their campus, are free to be themselves without being harassed or singled out, and can participate in the extracurriculars of their choice. Silence will not protect us. 

We, the undersigned, call on the leadership of Middlebury College to protect the Middlebury community's rights to safety and freedom of speech:

1. Reject the Trump Administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.”
2. Prohibit our college from voluntarily sharing its resources with federal law enforcement who are seeking to violate our civil rights.
3. Provide Middlebury College community members with the resources they need to be safe (including free, confidential legal consultation on issues of immigration and free/ low-cost housing assistance).
4. Revise Middlebury Handbook policy to require Middlebury officials to provide proof of their own identity before demanding students present identification.
5. Make clear that pamphleting and social media use are not ‘demonstrations’ or ‘protests’ covered by the Middlebury Handbook, and as core expressions of free speech must be free of restriction by the college.    

For further information, please visit go/ourrights/.