Latest news with #DomenicoGrasso
Chicago Tribune
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
University of Michigan drops private security after reports of surveillance
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The University of Michigan said it's cutting ties with a private security company that was accused of following pro-Palestinian activists on and off campus. The university said it found the actions of one security company employee 'disturbing, unacceptable and unethical.' It did not elaborate. 'Going forward, we are terminating all contracts with external vendors to provide plainclothes security on campus,' President Domenico Grasso said in a statement Sunday. In a Guardian story last week, students said they were surveilled around Ann Arbor. The news outlet posted video from a member of a Muslim group who decided to confront a man who was watching him from a car last summer. That man in turn yelled and accused him of trying to steal his wallet. Tensions have been high between the university and pro-Palestinian student groups. A student encampment stood for a month on campus last year before authorities shut it down citing safety issues. Seven people were charged with felonies related to the encampment's removal, though charges were dropped in May. The university, which has campus police, said it hired private security about a year ago to report suspicious activity in high-traffic areas, not to perform surveillance. 'No individual or group should ever be targeted for their beliefs or affiliations,' Grasso said.
The Independent
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
University of Michigan drops private security after reports of surveillance
The University of Michigan said it's cutting ties with a private security company that was accused of following pro-Palestinian activists on and off campus. The university said it found the actions of one security company employee "disturbing, unacceptable and unethical." It did not elaborate. 'Going forward, we are terminating all contracts with external vendors to provide plainclothes security on campus,' President Domenico Grasso said in a statement Sunday. In a Guardian story last week, students said they were surveilled around Ann Arbor. The news outlet posted video from a member of a Muslim group who decided to confront a man who was watching him from a car last summer. That man in turn yelled and accused him of trying to steal his wallet. Tensions have been high between the university and pro-Palestinian student groups. A student encampment stood for a month on campus last year before authorities shut it down citing safety issues. Seven people were charged with felonies related to the encampment's removal, though charges were dropped in May. The university, which has campus police, said it hired private security about a year ago to report suspicious activity in high-traffic areas, not to perform surveillance. 'No individual or group should ever be targeted for their beliefs or affiliations,' Grasso said.
CBS News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
University of Michigan drops private security group accused of surveilling pro-Palestinian students
The University of Michigan is dropping a private security company accused of surveilling students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests on campus. Students claimed that undercover surveillance occurred over the past year. Last week, CBS News Detroit spoke with a student who shot video of one of the alleged undercover investigators, whom he claimed the Ann Arbor school contracted through an agreement with Detroit-based City Shield Security Services. Michigan senior Josiah Walker believes he was followed by undercover security because he protested the war in Gaza. Walker claims he repeatedly observed the same people and vehicles following and ultimately turned the camera around on a man, who in their first interaction in July 2024, allegedly claimed to have a disability. In their second interaction two weeks later, the man claimed Walker was attempting to rob him. In a statement on Sunday, U of M Interim President Domenico Grasso said the university was terminating all contracts with outside vendors to provide plainclothes security. "We recently learned that an employee of one of our security contractors has acted in ways that go against our values and directives. What happened was disturbing, unacceptable, and unethical, and we will not tolerate it," Grasso said. "Going forward, we are terminating all contracts with external vendors to provide plainclothes security on campus." Grasso said the outside security firm was hired to "help us keep watch over our campus and enable us to respond quickly to emergencies." Grasso went on to say, "However, we are clear: no individual or group should ever be targeted for their beliefs or affiliations." Public records show the university spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on City Shield services between June 2024 and September 2024. A university official told CBS News Detroit that much of the money spent went towards 24/7 security for university employees who've been subject to alleged hate crimes at their homes, offices and businesses that pro-Palestinian groups claimed responsibility for. Officials said that money also went towards hiring security for events and gatherings on campus. Grasso urges anyone who witnesses or experiences inappropriate behavior by a school employee or contractor to contact university police or the school's Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office. Meanwhile, the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations is calling for an independent investigation into the alleged undercover surveillance. "This reported attempt by the University of Michigan to chill the free speech of anti-genocide groups through secret surveillance and alleged harassment must be investigated in an independent and transparent manner," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid in a statement. "Academic officials would never allow this type of outrageous behavior if those targeted were members of any other groups speaking out against genocide and for human rights." In May 2024, the university broke up a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, and several protesters were charged with trespassing. In May 2025, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel dropped charges against several protesters, including Walker, who faced two trespassing charges. contributed to this report.
Hamilton Spectator
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
University of Michigan drops private security after reports of surveillance
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The University of Michigan said it's cutting ties with a private security company that was accused of following pro-Palestinian activists on and off campus. The university said it found the actions of one security company employee 'disturbing, unacceptable and unethical.' It did not elaborate. 'Going forward, we are terminating all contracts with external vendors to provide plainclothes security on campus,' President Domenico Grasso said in a statement Sunday. In a Guardian story last week, students said they were surveilled around Ann Arbor. The news outlet posted video from a member of a Muslim group who decided to confront a man who was watching him from a car last summer. That man in turn yelled and accused him of trying to steal his wallet. Tensions have been high between the university and pro-Palestinian student groups . A student encampment stood for a month on campus last year before authorities shut it down citing safety issues. Seven people were charged with felonies related to the encampment's removal, though charges were dropped in May. The university, which has campus police, said it hired private security about a year ago to report suspicious activity in high-traffic areas, not to perform surveillance. 'No individual or group should ever be targeted for their beliefs or affiliations,' Grasso said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
San Francisco Chronicle
17 hours ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
University of Michigan drops private security after reports of surveillance
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The University of Michigan said it's cutting ties with a private security company that was accused of following pro-Palestinian activists on and off campus. The university said it found the actions of one security company employee "disturbing, unacceptable and unethical." It did not elaborate. 'Going forward, we are terminating all contracts with external vendors to provide plainclothes security on campus,' President Domenico Grasso said in a statement Sunday. In a Guardian story last week, students said they were surveilled around Ann Arbor. The news outlet posted video from a member of a Muslim group who decided to confront a man who was watching him from a car last summer. That man in turn yelled and accused him of trying to steal his wallet. Tensions have been high between the university and pro-Palestinian student groups. A student encampment stood for a month on campus last year before authorities shut it down citing safety issues. Seven people were charged with felonies related to the encampment's removal, though charges were dropped in May. The university, which has campus police, said it hired private security about a year ago to report suspicious activity in high-traffic areas, not to perform surveillance. 'No individual or group should ever be targeted for their beliefs or affiliations,' Grasso said.
