Support Dr. Steven Thrasher's Legal Defense

We are U.S. university professors and friends of acclaimed journalist Dr. Steven W. Thrasher. If you've made it to this GoFundMe, you've likely read about what has led to this (second) fundraiser, and we are grateful to those who contributed to our last fundraiser for his legal defense in the fall.

Steven recently was denied tenure at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. This is the latest in a months-long campaign of retaliation against Dr. Thrasher for engaging in constitutionally protected political speech against Israel’s war in Gaza and for defending students who stood against it during a peaceful protest at Northwestern last April.

Weeks later, Steven was one of four Northwestern University employees charged with Class-A misdemeanors for allegedly obstructing police activities during the April protest. When Cook County’s State Attorney declined to prosecute and dropped the charges (charges that have since been formally expunged from his record), Northwestern opened up an ad hoc investigation into his teaching and suspended him from the classroom without due process. In December, Steven was formally exonerated by a three-faculty committee of his peers from across the university. The day after the Medill Dean accepted their report which deemed Dr. Thrasher’s suspension to be unwarranted, he announced yet another internal investigation of Steven —this time for his participation in the April protest.

Although Steven is planning to appeal the decision, our friend could use our help once again as he prepares to defend himself. He has hired a paid attorney and pro-bono attorney to handle his case, and given that he will be unemployed soon, we are again raising funds to support him through this process.

Mutual aid is not charity - it is one way we can all support each other in difficult times - and Steven is often one of the first to step up and speak up for others in situations like this.

We know that it is a challenging time for many people. We ask that you consider giving if you are able. If you are not in a position to do so at this time, but are able to support in other ways - through job/employment leads, advocacy, or other material, tangible, or emotional support, we know he would appreciate it!