In France, pro-Palestinian solidarity is being silenced and criminalised | Rokhaya Diallo – The Guardian

When reports surface about the tightening grip of the French state on pro-Palestinian solidarity, the news often feels like a distant European tragedy—a clash of secularism and identity playing out in the arrondissements of Paris. But for those of us watching the streets of New York City, the parallels are too striking to ignore. From the encampments that once defined the lawns of Columbia University to the rhythmic chants echoing through Union Square, the tension between political expression and state-mandated “order” is a conversation happening in real-time right here in Manhattan.

The report from Rokhaya Diallo highlights a disturbing trend in France: the systematic criminalization of solidarity. It isn’t just about dispersing a crowd; it’s about the legal machinery being used to silence a specific political viewpoint. In the U.S., we operate under the broad umbrella of the First Amendment, which theoretically offers more protection than the French legal framework. However, the “chilling effect” is a universal phenomenon. When a student in Morningside Heights sees a peer facing disciplinary action or a protester in City Hall Park being detained for “disorderly conduct,” the message is the same regardless of the continent: some forms of speech are more dangerous to the status quo than others.

The Anatomy of Silence: From Paris to the Five Boroughs

The criminalization mentioned in the French context often manifests as administrative bans or the labeling of solidarity as “incitement.” In New York, the mechanism is slightly different but the result is often mirrored. We see it in the intersection of campus policy and municipal policing. The New York Police Department (NYPD) frequently balances the line between managing public safety and suppressing dissent, often utilizing “kettling” techniques or broad arrests that force activists to navigate a complex legal labyrinth just to exercise their basic rights.

This isn’t just a contemporary glitch in the system; it’s a historical cycle. If you look back at the student uprisings of May 1968 in Paris, the state’s reaction was one of shock and eventual suppression. Similarly, New York has a long history of viewing grassroots mobilization—from the anti-war protests of the 60s to the Occupy Wall Street movement in Zuccotti Park—through a lens of suspicion. The current crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices is a continuation of this trend, where the state seeks to redefine “solidarity” as “instability.”

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has frequently pointed out that the erosion of protest rights rarely happens in a vacuum. It usually begins with the targeting of a specific, marginalized, or unpopular cause. Once the precedent is set—that certain slogans are “too provocative” or certain gatherings are “inherently violent”—the door opens for broader restrictions. This is why the events in France should serve as a warning for New Yorkers. When the boundary between political speech and criminal activity is blurred by the state, the legal protections we take for granted become fragile.

The Socio-Economic Ripple Effect of Political Criminalization

Beyond the legal battles, there is a deeper socio-economic cost to this silencing. In a global hub like New York, where international diplomacy and finance intersect, the perception of “stability” is often prioritized over the reality of justice. When solidarity is criminalized, it doesn’t eliminate the grievance; it simply pushes the discourse underground or into more volatile channels. We see this in the way academic freedom is contested at institutions like Columbia University or NYU, where the pressure to maintain “donor relations” often clashes with the university’s mission to be a sanctuary for critical thought.

the psychological toll on the youth in the city cannot be overstated. A generation of activists is learning that their convictions can lead to a permanent criminal record or academic expulsion. This creates a stratified society where only those with significant financial resources—the ability to hire elite defense counsel—can afford to be “radical.” For the average resident of Queens or the Bronx, the risk of state retaliation is a powerful deterrent that effectively cleanses the public square of dissenting voices.

As we track these global policy shifts toward authoritarianism in the name of security, it becomes clear that the struggle for free expression is no longer just about the right to speak, but about the right to exist in the public eye without fear of state-sponsored erasure. The “silencing” Diallo describes in France is a blueprint that is being adapted and refined in metropolitan centers across the globe, including our own.

Navigating the Legal Minefield in New York City

Given my background in wire services and covering policy shifts for over a decade, I’ve seen how quickly the legal landscape can shift during times of civil unrest. If you find yourself or your organization caught in the crosshairs of these trends in New York City, you cannot rely on general legal advice. The intersection of municipal code, university policy, and constitutional law requires a very specific set of expertise.

If this trend of criminalizing solidarity begins to impact your life or work in the NYC area, here are the three types of local professionals Make sure to seek out to protect your rights and your future:

First Amendment & Civil Liberties Litigators

You aren’t looking for a general practice lawyer. You need a specialist who focuses specifically on constitutional law and has a track record of fighting the city or state. Look for attorneys who have experience with “Section 1983” claims (civil rights violations) and who are active members of legal collectives that monitor police conduct during protests.

Academic Rights & Student Defense Counsel

For those within the university system, the “law” is often a set of internal codes of conduct that bypass the traditional court system. You need a professional who understands the specific bylaws of the CUNY or SUNY systems, or private institutions like Columbia. The criteria here should be a proven ability to negotiate with university administrations to prevent expulsion or suspension while preserving the student’s right to political expression.

Crisis Communication Strategists for Non-Profits

Organizations supporting marginalized causes often face “reputational attacks” that can lead to a loss of funding or partnership. Look for consultants who specialize in “high-stakes advocacy.” They should be able to provide a strategy that protects the organization’s mission while navigating the precarious balance between public solidarity and the risk of being labeled as “inciters” by state entities.

The goal isn’t just to survive a legal encounter, but to ensure that the act of solidarity doesn’t result in a lifetime of professional or legal limitations. In a city as complex as New York, the right tool for the job is the difference between a closed case and a closed door.

Ready to find trusted professionals? Browse our complete directory of top-rated civil liberties attorneys in the New York City area today.