CAIR-NY Condemns Firing of 4 CUNY Brooklyn College Faculty Over Political Speech in Support of Palestinian Rights
(NEW YORK, NY, 7/11/25) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today strongly condemned CUNY Brooklyn College and the CUNY administration’s decision to fire four adjunct faculty members in retaliation for their public support of Palestinian rights.
SEE: PSC Letter Regarding Adjunct Faculty Layoffs
SEE: PSC Resolution Against the Retaliatory Firing of CUNY Faculty
SEE: Instagram post
The four faculty members, all known for their public advocacy in support of Palestinian human rights, were dismissed despite strong recommendations for reappointment from their respective department chairs, citing excellent teaching performance and class availability. The administration issued its terminations unilaterally without explanation, prompting widespread alarm from the academic community and public outcry from the Professional Staff Congress (PSC), the union representing CUNY faculty and staff.
The PSC has denounced the decision as an “ideological purge” and an attack on academic freedom in the face of growing pressure from anti-Palestinian and right-wing political interests.
In recent months, universities across the country have come under scrutiny for disciplining or terminating individuals critical of Israel’s genocide in Gaza or publicly aligned with Palestine solidarity movements.
In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, Esq., said:
“CUNY was founded as a place of opportunity, thought and public service—but today, it is silencing those who speak uncomfortable truths. The summary dismissal of these faculty members appears to be nothing short of retaliation for exercising their right to political expression.
“At a moment in which standing up for Palestinian lives is increasingly criminalized, this move sends a chilling message to educators and students alike: that dissent will be punished. We join the PSC in calling for the immediate reinstatement of these faculty members and urge CUNY to uphold its obligations to uphold academic freedom and not bend to political intimidation.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with those targeted for speaking out against genocide, apartheid and human rights violations. CAIR-NY calls on the broader American Muslim and academic community to reject this new wave of McCarthyism and defend the fundamental right to advocate for justice without fear of termination.
“We also call on CUNY and CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez to reinstate the affected faculty and reaffirm a commitment to academic freedom and free expression of dissent.”
Nasher noted that CAIR-NY has previously condemned the actions of CUNY Brooklyn College regarding crackdowns on its students speaking out for Palestine through peaceful protests.
SEE: CAIR-NY, CAIR Condemn CUNY Brooklyn College’s Crackdown on Peaceful Anti-Genocide Student Protesters
She added that CAIR’s 2025 Civil Rights Report, “Unconstitutional Crackdowns,” reveals that Islamophobia continues to be at an all-time high across the country. CAIR said viewpoint discrimination against those speaking out against genocide and apartheid was a key factor in many cases.
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT:
Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, CAIR-NY, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com;
CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com