See below for a statement from the Virginia NAACP on this disturbing story:
“When university president Gregory Washington received notice that the Trump administration had opened an investigation into complaints of antisemitism, he was ‘perplexed.’ But there are signs it may be part of a coordinated campaign to oust him.
…The similarities to recent events at another public university in Virginia were hard to ignore. The OCR’s George Mason investigation was opened just four days after the University of Virginia’s president, James E. Ryan, announced that he was resigning to help settle a federal probe into the university’s DEI commitments.”
Not good, to put it mildly; this is an assault on academic freedom, diversity, equity, inclusion, etc, etc. by the Trump administration.
Virginia NAACP Statement on George Mason University Investigation
Richmond, Virginia – The NAACP Virginia State Conference is gravely troubled by the Trump administration’s civil rights investigation into George Mason University and the unwarranted scrutiny directed at President Gregory Washington. Following the pressure that forced the University of Virginia President James Ryan to resign, this latest witch hunt raises serious questions about who’s next on the list as political forces continue to target those who advocate for diversity and inclusion in our educational institutions.
Virginia NAACP President Rev. Cozy Bailey shared the following statement:
“This latest witch hunt against President Washington is a blatant attempt to intimidate those who champion diversity. We will not allow the progress we have achieved to be dismantled by political opportunism. Our universities must remain bastions of inclusion, not retreat from it. President Washington should not be targeted for his commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment. The Virginia NAACP stands firmly against these politically motivated assaults that threaten the core values of equity and justice that our institutions should uphold.”
The Virginia NAACP urges all advocates for justice and equality to speak out against these actions and protect the integrity of our educational systems, ensuring they remain places of learning and growth for all.
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ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP
Founded in 1935, the NAACP Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Black Virginians and people of color. You can read more about the Virginia NAACP’s work by visiting www.naacpva.org.
