On Monday, the student group Mecha de U of U posted a letter signed by more than 70 University of Utah faculty calling the U to drop all charges against Mecha and support trans, Palestinian and marginalized students.

The signed letter addressed U President Taylor Randall and the U’s central administration and expressed deep concern about “the recent events surrounding Mecha” having specified the U’s recent withdrawal of university sponsorship from Mecha and the cancelation of Mecha’s High School Conference. 

“We are disheartened to learn that university leadership and the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion have revoked Mecha’s sponsorship status following its recent protests in support of trans people’s dignity and against the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” the letter read.

Additionally, the letter advocated for the immediate reinstatement of university funding to Mecha to support programming like the High School Conference — an event of workshops for incoming students of color. 

The letter states the university is “seeking federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution,” and de-sponsoring a leading organization of Latine students is “harmful and contradictory” to these efforts. 

Previously, Mecha was revoked of university funding due to “engaging in behavior that infringe(s) upon the First Amendment rights of other University of Utah students to express their views,” and the Center of Equity and Student Belonging withdrew sponsorship due to the group’s “unwilling(ness) to operate under the direction and guidance of CESB.”

The faculty letter stated “administrators have not clarified the specific behaviors that triggered desponsorship,” and listed its “nonviolent” protests including the “screening of a transphobic film organized by another student group,” and another to raise awareness about Palestinians’ human rights and current genocide in Gaza.

“These events have revealed a deeply troubling contradiction,” it read, “The free speech of transphobic ideologues is protected by the university, while the free speech of students standing against the genocide of Palestinians is not.”

The letter stated the contradiction “has had a chilling effect on anyone who wishes to speak on events in Palestine.”

Seven students are facing criminal charges following Mecha’s screening protest on Nov. 1. The charges include interference with a peace officer, disrupting the operation of a school, disorderly conduct and wearing masks with intent to commit a crime, according to the university.

The faculty letter stated they condemn actions of the university police, and said the protests “should be viewed as a valuable opportunity for education and dialogue rather than punitive measures.”

It stated the university must embrace these moments as “teachable opportunities,” and “[make] space for all student groups to learn about their constitutional rights,” in order for a more empathetic and inclusive environment. 

“We call on … university administrators to cease their pattern of intimidation,” the letter read, and concluded with a list of all faculty signers.

Mecha said in the caption of the post, “Thank you for standing with your students, as every educator has an obligation to do.”

University administration had no comment directly about the faculty letter, but did release a statement to university faculty on Monday signed by President Randall and Mitzi M. Montoya, senior vice president for academic affairs, addressing the overarching recent issues of free speech on campus.

The statement referred to the recently passed Resolution Establishing Expectations for Implementing Principles of Free Expression on Campus which outlined foundational principles for preserving free speech at Utah System of Higher Education institutions.

Additionally, university representatives were asked in the resolution to “refrain from taking public positions on political, social or unsettled issues that do not directly relate to the institution’s mission, role or pedagogical objectives.”

“The University of Utah has robust free speech and academic freedom policies in place that are in alignment with the intention of the resolution,” the statement read.

The statement also mentioned Mecha’s protest on Nov. 1.

“Some student activities may not reflect others’ individual beliefs, however, the U allows student groups the right to function as long as they follow policy, do not interrupt the operation of the university, do not infringe on the free speech rights of another person or group, or threaten public safety,” the statement said. “On Nov. 1, a group of protesters interrupted a registered student event and citations were issued.”

“We appreciate your efforts to continue to build our campus community with respect for the dignity for all,” the statement concluded.

Involved faculty have been contacted for comment, but have not yet responded.

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