MU changes homecoming parade application policy amid lawsuit from Muslim rights group
Mitchell Kaminski
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The University of Missouri has made changes to its application process for its homecoming parade, following a dustup with Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine last year.
On Aug. 27, the group posted on social media that CAIR — the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the country — had filed a lawsuit on behalf of the group for President Mun Choi’s decision to deny their application to participate in the 2024 homecoming parade.
Records obtained by ABC 17 News show Choi cited what he called “disturbances” from students at other universities as the reason for denying MSJP’s application. In his letter to the group, he wrote:
“A review of SJP events around the country indicated that significant disturbances have occurred. Some of the disturbances were caused by members and/or supporters of SJP. In other cases the disturbances were caused by members of the public or by counter-demonstrators. Ensuring the safety of members of the MSJP and homecoming participants is my paramount concern
“These facts, combined with the concerning actions of some MSJP members at Speakers Circle on Oct 7, led me to my decision. Given our commitment to your right of freedom of expression, we’ll provide you another location on the day of Homecoming Parade to share your perspectives.”
Letters obtained by ABC 17 News also show the University denied applications to LiUNA and the League of Women Voters, as part of the five denial letters obtained in the records request. However, those denial letters cited the influx of registration, concerns about parade length and priority given to MU student groups as the reason why.
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MSPJ argues that before denying their application, the university asked the student group to not carry a banner reading “END THE GENOCIDE,” despite allowing fraternities to display “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN” banners.
“MSJP’s exclusion from the 2024 Homecoming Parade was a blatant violation of the First Amendment,” Gadeir Abbas, deputy litigation director at CAIR National, said in a statement. “In addition to seeking relief from the court for that constitutional violation, we are also demanding that the University not repeat its mistake by excluding Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine again in this year’s parade.”
The University has since updated its homecoming parade policy, with the theme of “Celebrating Black and Gold.” According to the policy, the purposes of the parade are to:
Celebrate MU’s traditions and accomplishments
Cultivate alumni connections
Honor University-selected achievements of MU students, personnel, and alumni
Rally support and enthusiasm for the Homecoming football game
The policy also reads:
“It is not an open forum for expression on topics identified by participants, but rather is limited to expression on topics identified by the University for the purposes noted above. The University provides ample other opportunities for participants to express themselves on topics of interest to them.”
Choi was asked about the decision during Thursday’s MU faculty council meeting.
“The major difference from last year is that we have a theme, and we ask that all of the parade participants to tailor the displays, tailor their performance if they’re going to perform in the parade, using the theme of Black and Gold and themes of celebrating our alums because it is homecoming,” Choi said.
A spokesman for the university told ABC 17 News in a statement that the decision to change the rules was not related to SJP.
“We make changes to the parade rules every year and this year is no exception,” MU spokesperson Christopher Ave wrote in an email. “Adherence to the theme is not limited to any one group, and the rules do apply to all participants.”
ABC 17 News reached out to MSJP.
Check back for updates.