Yale Students Respond To NYPD Spying On Muslim Students With Photo Campaign

Students at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. are protesting the NYPD after a series of articles revealed the New York police spied on Muslims on campus.

The Muslim Student Association at Yale started a Facebook page featuring photos students and faculty on campus, holding signs that range from saying "I'm a Muslim" or "I'm a Socialist" to "I'm just trying to help," all with "Call the NYPD" as a caption on the photo. More than 100 photos have already been uploaded.

The New York Police Department was spying on Muslim college students at a number of schools across the country as a part of anti-terrorism intelligence efforts.

Muslim Student Associations have been outspoken in criticizing what they see as profiling and an intrusive violation of their privacy.

"I think it's horrifying," said Yale student Akbar Ahmed. "I think its racially profiling and I don't think its justified in the least and I think of someone who is of Muslim origin but not a practicing Muslim."

Yale President Richard Levin objected in the "strongest possible terms" to the report by the AP.

"Now, in the wake of these disturbing news reports," Levin stated, "I want to assure the members of the Yale Muslim Students Association that they can count on the full support of Yale University."

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg dismissed the criticism from Levin a few days after the story was reported.

"If going on websites and looking for information is not what Yale stands for, I don't know," Bloomberg said. “Of course, we're going to look at anything that's publicly available, in the public domain. We have an obligation to do so, and it is to protect the very things that let Yale survive."

The photo campaign at Yale is similar a demonstration students at Pennsylvania State University did, where they held signs of their "NYPD file."

The Yale "Call The NYPD" campaign wrote on Facebook: "Together, these Yalies refuse to endorse profiling based on race, religion, or status as a history major."

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Comments

[Defender of Truth]

05:43 PM on 03/12/2012

Great Comments.

[dbrett480]

08:16 PM on 03/03/2012

I thought Yale students were supposed to be smart. They should know that it isn't illegal or unconstitutional for ANYONE (including a police officer) to join college groups or go on websites.

[JerseyCity]

10:29 PM on 03/01/2012

Yay!!!

[tyruler]

08:25 PM on 03/01/2012

Spy on me you corrupt Ray Kelly, Paul Browne, and the rest of you dimwits @ NYPD. Keep a profile, go ahead I dare you!

[jfportis]

09:13 AM on 03/01/2012

The FBI infiltrated African-American groups and civil rights organizations in the 60's, they infiltrate white supremacist groups now. Its what they do.

[Mailman]

08:46 AM on 03/01/2012

This is what students do when they are in college, they don't think about the same people flying airplane into building with their kids in it.

[Zahriya]

09:02 AM on 03/14/2012

Because the same 5 people who flew the airplane into a building are the same exact people being spied upon just because they share a religion. Just like every single christian should be spied on because of the abortion clinic bombings, Norway massacre, and Oklahoma bombing.

[Quis Custodiet]

04:33 AM on 03/01/2012

Direct quote:

"I think it's horrifying," said Yale student Akbar Ahmed. "I think its racially profiling and I don't think its justified in the least and I think of someone who is of Muslim origin but not a practicing Muslim."

Muslim is an origin? Really?
Here I thought it was "Semitic/North African/West Asian"
Then again, it just goes along with the quip that "Yale Rhymes With Fail."

[robjh1]

12:11 PM on 03/01/2012

I was about to point out the same thing before coming across your missive.

"I think it's horrifying," said Yale student Akbar Ahmed. "I think its racially profiling and I don't think its justified in the least and I think of someone who is of Muslim origin but not a practicing Muslim."

Muslim isn't a race. It's a religion. And this kid goes to what school?

[tyruler]

08:29 PM on 03/01/2012

Muslim origin means born of a Muslim family. The correct term is religious profiling, but profiling based on religious or racial affiliation is still stereotype and its wrong.

It turns the very foundational principle of this country upside down you know: "Right to free associate thereof, freedom of religion, and innocent until proven guilty." How shameful that we Americans let it happen.

[luapmi2]

03:55 AM on 03/01/2012

So cute....and worthless.

It's a good thing liberals are as impotent as they are or we would be in a heap of trouble.

[Quis Custodiet]

04:34 AM on 03/01/2012

As a liberal leading moderate and a realist I hate to agree with you, but I do. With one caveat, however; the surveillance should NOT have been handled by the NYPD as it is a gross over-reach in terms of functional jurisdiction. The PD should have worked either through the FBI, or the local security agencies.

[jsladder]

12:13 AM on 03/01/2012

Hi… I’m Anglo/Irish and my family came to America in 1634. We helped found New Hampshire, fought at Bunker Hill, The Battle of Bennington Vt. and every war up to WW11.

[speasmom]

12:43 AM on 03/01/2012

so waht's your point ?

[jsladder]

12:57 AM on 03/01/2012

Just holding up a sign like everybody else. I'm expressing myself.

[CipherWise]

11:28 PM on 02/29/2012

Speaking of Yale University, I know that JFK - (not that one - John F. Kerry) was a member
of the secret "Skull & Bones" society at the school. I imagine he would have an extensive
FBI file by now and don't personally believe he is one bit concerned about what it contains.

Anyone that has ever been fingerprinted for their careers or volunteer work has a FBI file.

Individuals that know they have not broken any law may relax and go about getting your
education regardless of all the security cameras, wire taps and racial profiles or "big brother"
in general

[Stokes]

08:57 PM on 02/29/2012

So many of our churches and branches of our government are filled with custodians of inward hatred that they are besetting this nation with grief. The only Muslims I have been able to meet are my Doctors, all five of them and I have the deepest gratitude and respect for the fantastic care they have provided me with. The martial law that is rapidly coming to fruition as a result of the philosophy of the wicked New World Order is way out of bounds. Greed for power will be the loser, but Truth for power which is in the hearts of most humans will be the spiritual victory.

[tyruler]

08:32 PM on 03/01/2012

And I bet more of those "Muslim doctors" have saved lives than the gross sterotype of a Muslim terrorist. Of course we are not allowed to stereotype all Christians based say Christian abortion clinic killers, Jewish Kahane terrorists, white supremacists groups, black and/or Latino gang-banggers.

[Monte924]

08:14 PM on 02/29/2012

"I am a... Human"

That's my favorite right there... how easily people forget the one label that matters most and applies to everyone.

[Quis Custodiet]

04:35 AM on 03/01/2012

Except Gingrich, Santorum, Jackson, Sharpton, Kambon, and Reagan.

[petcraft]

08:13 PM on 02/29/2012

A student can be of any faith. It is part of our own culture to welcome people of all faiths to our country & universities. Being a Muslem does NOT make him a terrorist; although, we realize that we must be very alert & careful in this day & age, a situation of which I'm sure he is well aware. Let's start by showing him what true Americans are made of, letting him see for himself how valuable & precious the Bill of Rights really is.

[blang84]

04:19 PM on 02/29/2012

This comment will probably be deleted but unfortunately racial profiling is a necessary evil.

[Quis Custodiet]

04:36 AM on 03/01/2012

Racial profiling is an emanation of this thing called "statistical data analysis and risk management." It just so happens that the former is liable to get the ignorant youth more riled up.

[sherlockhemlock]

04:59 AM on 03/01/2012

It's more an "emanation" of the thing in your recidivist skull which is sometimes referred to by neuroscientists as the Reptilian Brain.

Or in short a lizard by any other name.

[sherlockhemlock]

04:56 AM on 03/01/2012

Unfortunately racial profiling is just EVIL and nothing else.

[Cara DePalma]

02:53 PM on 02/29/2012

Great pictures on the slideshow. Too bad these kids now have FBI files...

[Quis Custodiet]

04:37 AM on 03/01/2012

So? If you've ever done as much as googled "Terrorist" or heck, entered it into this BB so do you.