University of Michigan's Student President Impeached Over Pro-Palestinian Advocacy Tactics

Commencement Ceremony Held At University Of Michigan

The University of Michigan's pro-Palestine student President and Vice President was impeached by the student government for trying to divest the university's funds from Israel.

President Alifa Anam Chowdhury and VP Ellas Atkinson pushed to block over $1.3 million in student activity funds unless the university's Board of Regents agreed to divest from Israel.

Pro-Palestine Student Leaders Impeached at the University of Michigan

With a campaign called 'Shut it Down,' the student leaders hope to halt business as usual on campus until demands are met. However, controversy grew during student government meetings with critics accusing Chowdhury of failing to fulfill her leadership duties, using the student government's social media to target opponents, and being labeled 'Zionist, per Haaretz.

Atkinson was also targeted for not addressing the harassment faced by fellow student representatives during these debates. The impeachment charges also cited instances where threats of violence were allegedly directed at opponents of the campaign.

Pro-Palestinian protests on campus also added to the controversy with the student government facing backlash for rejecting a resolution to send funds to a university in Gaza.

The impeachment vote passed with overwhelming support from the student assembly, and a student trial will soon decide whether Chowdhury and Atkinson will be removed from office.

The Shut it Down party defended its action by stating that the goal was not to maintain the system but to challenge and dismantle it for global liberation. Others, however, argued that the campaign disrupted student governance and endangered campus safety.

Michigan's Board of Regents remained firm, stating that they would not divest the university's endowment.