Derek R Peterson @Unseen_Archive:
The @AAUP & the AFT have just issued a strong & helpful statement defending academic freedom and condemning the ridiculous campaign of intimidation that has been launched against me.
I am most grateful for this. Here is the statement:
AAUP, AFT, Labor Leaders Support University of Michigan Professor Derek Peterson May 5, 2026
The AAUP and AFT strongly defend the academic freedom of Professor Derek Peterson and condemn the escalating campaign of political pressure and public intimidation directed at him following his remarks at the University of Michigan’s commencement ceremony.
Professor Peterson’s comments—measured, principled, and clearly situated within a broader call to recognize those who work to advance justice—fall squarely within the protected sphere of faculty speech. Faculty members do not surrender their rights to speak as scholars and citizens when they participate in university forums—whether in classrooms, public venues, or ceremonial settings.
On the contrary, such occasions are among the most visible expressions of the university’s core commitments to thoughtful inquiry, ethical reflection, and engagement with the most pressing issues of our time.
Calls from political actors and government officials to investigate, discipline, or terminate Professor Peterson are deeply alarming. Such demands represent a direct threat to academic freedom and an unacceptable intrusion of partisan politics into the life of the university. Just as concerning, they create a profound chilling effect: When faculty members see a colleague singled out for public vilification and threats of punishment for protected speech, the predictable result is self-censorship. Scholars may avoid addressing controversial or politically sensitive topics, narrowing the scope of inquiry and debate that universities exist to sustain.
The AAUP and AFT are also concerned by the University of Michigan administration’s public response, including its characterization of Professor Peterson’s remarks and its suggestion that he acted improperly. Institutional leaders have an obligation not only to tolerate faculty speech, but to defend it—especially in the face of external political pressure. An institution may disagree with the content of a faculty member’s protected expression, but refusing to affirm his right to academic freedom risks legitimizing calls for sanction, amplifying the chilling effect on faculty speech, and inviting further political interference.
The AAUP and AFT call on the University of Michigan to affirm unequivocally that Professor Peterson will face no discipline for his protected speech, to reject external efforts to dictate the terms of academic expression, and to recommit itself to the principles of academic freedom and shared governance that are foundational to its mission.
At a moment when faculty speech is increasingly subject to political attack, universities must stand firm. The AAUP and AFT stand with Professor Peterson and with all faculty members who exercise their rights and responsibilities to speak, teach, and engage the pressing issues of our time without fear of retaliation.
Randi Weingarten, AFT President
Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
Terrence Martin, AFT-Michigan President, AFT Vice President
Julie Boland, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor AAUP Chapter President
Daniel Birchok, University of Michigan–Flint AFT-AAUP Local 5671 President
***
@sfmcguire79:
Over 1300 signatories now. A growing embarrassment to the university.
@sfmcguire79:
1250 UMich faculty, staff, students, and alumni have signed a letter claiming “nothing Professor Peterson said was inappropriate to the occasion” and that his “remarks were thoughtful, informed, instructive, and ethically rich.”
The problems run deep.
@ParkerFoxtrot:
That is a phenomenal statement from Derek.
@jenelaina:
Damn, those closing lines. Respect.
@PeruginiNic:
We live in a time when university leaders condemn their faculty, distance themselves from them, and pledge censorship and control over ceremonies for publicly praising students for awakening the university community to injustice and the ongoing destruction of a colonised people.
@LaraFriedmanDC:
Once again those whose literal job it is to defend free speech/intellectual inquiry are once again giving in without a fight to demands for a total muzzling of free speech/intellectual inquiry on Israel. Utterly shameful. History will judge these cowards accordingly.
@Quinctilus:
Watched it again, absolutely fabulous. The desire for humanity is not limited to emanating solely from women, blacks, or only one religion. All religions and races desire for humane treatment, and as children of God, all of those desires are equal.
@ThatFisunGuner:
Brilliant reception from the audience, predictable response from panicking admin. Those who wld demand your silence know their lies are fragile and are fracturing.
@cherylbenson:
Gaza is a genocide by Israeli Zionists not a war other than that well done, you have some interesting social justice history at @UMich which is educational and always worth sharing and as always kudos to the students who stood up for human rights and the Palestinians.
@maherme01:
You represent the conscience of America. You spoke for countless people around the globe who seek justice without exceptions.
Utmost respect
@dima_hassouneh:
Thank you for acknowledging the genocidal actions of murderous Israel and saluting the bravery of the pro-Palestine protesters. President Grasso should honour you not attack you. You are an inspiration to your students while Grasso is a colossal sellout and disappointment
@LaraFriedmanDC:
In the face of non-stop threats & retribution campaigns, some in academia continue to bravely speak truth
Hey @UMichPresGrasso and @UMich, if @Unseen_Archive word’s “do not represent your institutional position”, does that mean your institutional position supports GENOCIDE? Pray tell.
@Unseen_Archive , 2026:
Yesterday I had the pleasure of addressing the graduates @UMich commencement. I spoke about the long history of student activism, which has moved the University toward justice.
Here is a video. It has caused a furore on social media & in UM admin.
Bravo!! I watched five times.
Derek R. Peterson Michigan graduation remarks 2 May 2026 5:30 Min by Derek Peterson, May 3, 2026
This is a recording of the comments made by Derek R. Peterson, Professor of History and African Studies and outgoing Chair of the Faculty Senate, at the University of Michigan commencement of 2 May 2026.
…
In 1865, a young woman named Sarah Burgerer applied for admission to the University of Michigan.
In those days, there were 450 students on campus. and all of them were men.
There were also 20 members of the faculty and all of them were men, too.
Michigan’s president at the time was a man named Henry Tappin and he was opposed to the admission of women.
… When we attempt to disturb God’s order, he wrote, we produce monstrosities. That was President Tap’s view. …
Today, the landscape is very different. 53% of the graduating class is made up of women. ….
…
***
@AssalRad:
The lack of news on Gaza isn’t because the genocide is over.
It’s because Israel slaughtered the journalists and Western media pretends there’s a ceasefire.
@OmarHamadD:
Massacres against Palestinian civilians in Gaza are still being carried out by Israel. Just minutes ago, another massacre occurred in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.
@GMontgomeryTG:
The continuing annihilation by the terrorist regime of Israel by the @IDF
sponsored by the @realDonaldTrump
and carried out under orders from the criminal @netanyahu
is so depraved and so abhorrent and yet the world does nothing to stop it. How utterly shameful this world is.
@SamanAhsan:
Very well spoken professor.
Just like the world order was against enrolling women in universities in the 19th century, today the world order is against recognising genocide when it’s happening under our noses. History will remember you for standing on its right side.
@dandoon_danya:
Mind you, the VAST MAJORITY of the students were clapping and cheering for @Unseen_Archive ‘s speech. Please.
@ShrugsHugs:
I was thrilled to hear this speech, and even more thrilled to hear the students’ response. You are obviously speaking a truth that they appreciated.I love the students’ response
I was disappointed to hear the response from UM’s president. Cowardly and capitulating.Yep, Zionism in all its inhumanity.
Please continue to hold the torch high.
Thank you Prof. @Unseen_Archive. I used to teach at @UMich before @MIT. Perhaps your words will inspire other such speeches in Commencement weeks ahead. As Prof. Ilan @Pappe54 once told us at a @HistoryMIT talk, “Academic courage need not be [an] oxymoron.”
Thank you so very much. We all know the cost of speaking up against Israel here in UK. #FreePalestine #EndIsraeliApartheid #EndIsraelOccupation
@BrathBonespurs:
Thank you Professor for being very brave, standing up for the Palestinian people and for being on the correct side of history.
@Quinctilus:
Derek excellent job. You said what needed to be said. If Zionists are uncomfortable about genocide, they should be. No one would have spared the delicate sensitivities of Dutch Lutheran Boers during protest against Botha’s South Africa. With its brutal apartheid, violent occupation and the blood, dust and rubble of a depraved genocide, modern Kahanist Israel makes Botha’s South Africa look like a quilting bee at a county fair. The protest shall continue. The iniquity must stop.
@AlanHall2808:
Quite telling that the replies to this are filled with hate vitriol because you stated facts. Its not surprising as amerikkka was made from genocide and land theft and now exports these worldwide. amerikkkans and Albertans are also the stupidest most propagandised people on this planet.
@Nick41826856735:
Thank you for this great speech and for your bravery and integrity Professor. The only voice you need to listen to is the huge student and audience applause. Haters are those busy committing genocide, slaughtering babies and their supporters. They’re the ones who need to worry, because true accountability will come their way sooner or later!
Stay strong and proud
@SumunLPendakur:
I hope people watch the whole speech-it’s not long & honors so many who have engaged in righteous struggle. Dr. Peterson, as a Michigan alum, you (along with the students you lifted up, many of whom have sacrificed so much) are the reason we can even say Go Blue! Thank you
@BangTheClose:
The furore is IOF militants and bots trying to scare you. They need US taxpayer money to commit more war crimes and they know if Americans learn the truth about the genocidal and nuclear israeli entity, all the money will dry up for them.
@LeighKimberg:
Thank you Professor Peterson for supporting the power and promise of student activism and the people of Palestine.
Grateful to witness a university leader stand for social justice—especially as we witness a live-streamed genocide funded by our tax dollars.
@mahdi_tcs_:
As a @UMich professor, I commend your inspiring speech and feel ashamed of and concerned by the unacceptable response by @UMichPresGrasso.
@LittleLeinaa:
The only people pissed off about it are the ones who support genocide.
@go234523:
It is hard to do the right thing, bravo for showing what courage to speak truth looks like
@MsJamshidi:
The smears have started against @UMich Prof Derek Peterson for thanking pro-Palestine students 4 standing against genocide in his commencement speech
Email Michigan’s Pres & Provost now to express ur support for Peterson. Time is critical: email hidden; JavaScript is required
@safiyaaaay:
you know who isn’t apologizing for the commencement speech? Derek Peterson
@DropSiteNews:
University of Michigan President Domenico Grasso is “apologizing” after a commencement speech by the Faculty Senate Chair yesterday praised pro-Palestinian student activists for helping open people’s hearts to the “injustice and inhumanity” suffered by Palestinians in the U.S. -backed Israeli war on Gaza. Grasso called Professor Peterson’s remarks “hurtful,” “insensitive,” and “inappropriate,” and said they “do not represent our institutional position.” Grasso also said the comments did not belong in a “celebratory” setting, distancing the university from the message, and pledging to review future ceremonies. “We will not allow a 30-second soundbite to tear down the goodwill,” he declared.Perfect Nazi Zionist, concrete heart and soul.
Professor Derek R. Peterson, a University of Michigan historian and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, thanked “pro-Palestinian student activists” during a graduation speech today, for “opening our hearts to the injustices and inhumanity of Israel’s war in Gaza.”
Peterson teaches history and African studies at the University of Michigan, where he also became chair of the faculty senate in 2025.
@MNajeddine:
An actual professor with cohones!
Protest works! That’s why Zionism is frantically working around the world to kill our right to free speech/freedom of expression and criminalize protest when it’s for peace for Palestine, Iran and Lebanon, and more, from Israel’s crimes, land and resource theft, olive grove and farm destruction, and genocide.
Huge BDS victory on the heels of May Day! BC Nurses Union passes a member-led resolution to no longer invest internal union funds in companies profiting from occupation of Palestine. This come after 2.5 years of organizing by nurses in BC.
