Following the 9/11 controversy that swept campus last year, the Washington University College Republicans (WUCR) hosted a flag planting event to honor the 2,977 victims of the terrorist attack. The club advertised it as a nonpartisan event open for all community members to participate in.

The onus is on every member of our campus community to join us in remembering all 2,977 of these victims.

News of the sanctions became public Wednesday evening after the College Republicans president released Alkilani’s “personal and confidential” Student Conduct outcome letter.

The protest came nine days after some students went on academic strike, skipping class or attending remotely out of fear for their safety or in solidarity with Muslim, Black and brown students.

In 2021, we find ourselves where we were 20 years ago – unable to protest the ‘forever wars’ spawned by 9/11 without being labeled un-American.

Removing the American flags from the 9/11 memorial was wrong, but in no way does the student who did so deserve the racial and Islamophobic attacks he has been receiving. The continuation of such actions fails our Muslim population — the people who have been on the receiving end of these despicable attacks. 

While there may be differing opinions on Fadel’s choice of protest, the subsequent Islamophobic and racist response to his protest was intolerable.

“I want to make it very clear that, as an institution, we find the actions of this student to be reprehensible,” Martin wrote.

The condemnation came as the president of the College Republicans called for Alkilani’s expulsion from the University or other punishment and as national conservative media outlets have picked up the story.

Students at Stephen Prothero’s Assembly Series lecture on Thursday dove into the chasm of culture wars and partisan divisions in American politics.