Dear President Granberg, Provost Bracey, and Deans Wahlbeck, Riedner, and Gross,

We, as people of conscience, are extremely alarmed and disappointed that The George Washington University continues to escalate the investigation against Cecilia Culver following her remarks on May 17th at the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences graduation ceremony. GW's actions are inconsistent with its own stated values, its policy on free expression, and the foundations of a just society.

Ms. Culver was selected to speak at the CCAS school ceremony as the recipient of the CCAS Distinguished Scholar Award. She chose to use this platform to engage in an act of academic freedom, protest, and protected speech by calling on GW to practice transparency in their investments.

Courageously, Ms. Culver stated, "Despite repeated calls from students and faculty to disclose all endowments and investments by the University and divest from the apartheid state of Israel, the administration has refused to negotiate in good faith. Instead, they have repressed anyone with the courage to point out the blood on their hands."

Within hours, GW's administration issued an apology to families in attendance, declaring that Ms. Culver's statements did not reflect the views of the University. Two days later, on May 19th, the administration issued a second statement, this time labeling Ms. Culver's conduct as "inappropriate and dishonest," and stating that she has been barred from all campuses and related events, is being investigated, and will face "appropriate accountability measures." However, the administration was silent as Ms. Culver began receiving death threats on social media.

This past weekend, The New York Times ran a front-page article describing Project Esther, the comprehensive and calculated efforts of groups like the Heritage Foundation, and now the Trump administration, to crush pro-Palestinian advocacy. It is shameful that GW is helping these groups advance this project and goal by labeling a student of distinction, courage, and principle as "dishonest" and investigating her. 

As administrators at GW, you have an obligation to your students, to your faculty, and to the project of democracy to resist fascist and authoritarian measures. You have an obligation to stand against efforts to intimidate, punish, and criminalize those who are not only exercising their right to free speech and thought but who are actively practicing the principles that American universities, including GW, purport to uphold. 

We demand that you drop the investigation into Ms. Culver and protect student speech. Ms. Culver is a stellar example of the type of student GW claims to cultivate. GW must uphold its duty to protect her – a duty it owes to all students – rather than harm her for her speech.