Press Release: Councilor Green Stands Up for Free Speech on Campus, Condemns Administrative Crackdowns at PSU

April 23, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Maria Sipin

Portland City Councilor Mitch Green Stands Up for Free Speech on Campus, Condemns Administrative Crackdowns at PSU

Portland, OR - Portland City Councilor Mitch Green joined students, faculty, and activists at Portland State University (PSU) on April 17 for the National Day of Action for Higher Ed, rallying in defense of free speech, academic freedom, and equitable education funding. Green, a former instructor and alumnus at PSU, delivered a powerful speech condemning the escalating attacks on dissent in higher education, drawing connections between Trump-era authoritarianism and PSU's current crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices.

"We have to practice democracy. Fascism is on the rise. We're going to stand up and protect our rights and to protect the most vulnerable among us. And that's what you all are doing today," Green told the crowd.

The event was organized in response to renewed efforts by the Trump administration to stifle student activism on campuses nationwide. Among those targeted was Mahmoud Khalil, a student detained for peaceful protest, who has become a test case for Trump's attempts to deport foreign nationals without due process.

These moves have only compounded existing tensions at PSU, where students and faculty already faced suspensions, excessive restitution fees, and withheld diplomas for speaking out against the genocide in Palestine.

Green also called out PSU's hypocritical budget priorities, noting the university's push to gut core education classes and lay off more than half of its non-tenured teaching staff-all while pursuing a $850 million performing arts complex that will rely partially on city funds.

"Budgets are moral documents," Green declared. "Portland State University depends on Portland City Council for a number of the things that they want to do. So if we want to show up and use our lever on City Council, it's through the power of the purse."

The councilor linked PSU's attacks on free speech and faculty to Trumpian assaults on higher education, where dissent is criminalized, and corporate interests outweigh student and worker needs.

"Students like me have been calling on PSU to end state repression and the sanctions against student activists, which I experienced firsthand. These sanctions should be dropped. I'm concerned about PSU's budgeting and their austerity measures that have led to underfunded cultural services, layoffs, and threats to the quality of our education," said Garrison Christian, PSU student.

"I can't in good conscience ignore what's happening at PSU-to the students and faculty during this time," Green said. "I stand in solidarity with the students and their fight for civil rights."

As PSU administrators continue to punish pro-Palestine activists and dismantle academic programs, Green's stance signals growing resistance from local leaders. Advocates demand that PSU discontinue its ongoing prosecution of student protesters, halt layoffs, and divest from companies doing business with the Israeli military.

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Photos by Jordan Karr-Morse