As part of a protest, anthropology senior Ahlam Moshen alledgedly hit U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., in the face with a pie. There are the traditional sit-in’s, marches and other peaceful ways to make a point, but a pie in the face? Not so much.
According to Mecosta County prosecuting attorney Brian Thiede, the case against Moshen presently is at a standstill until federal authorities choose to either press charges or terminate the investigation.
Pushing the pause button on Moshen’s case offers time to think: How serious should this be taken, should the federal government be involved or is this a state decision, and what’s the university going to do?
Moshen is charged with felony stalking, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in Michigan. The maximum sentence depends on whether any injuries occurred. But that’s not all: she also is charged with assault and disorderly conduct.
Moshen made a choice, and it was the wrong one. Actions have consequences. Just because it was done in protest does not exempt Moshen. It’s not the pie, it it’s the action. Levin’s space was invaded, his safety compromised, and pride damaged. That it was a pie was inconsequential to the action; it’s the threatening gesture that can’t be taken lightly. Peaceful protest is called peaceful for a reason.
Nonviolent protest is the counterpoint to passive acceptance and submission. That power should have been used, not abused. Individuals who can’t respect the basis of nonviolent protest or the ideas behind civil disobedience, should be dealt with accordingly.
At the same time, it’s still a pie. The charges — federal or otherwise — should reflect that even if Moshen acted rashly, it was not to cause injury. She isn’t exempt from the law, but five years of jail time seems excessive.
MSU also has things to consider. Chief among them are the education and welfare of its students and the duty to mind itself as an institution. As an entity, MSU has to take a role in the discipline of Moshen, because the behavior of current MSU students reflects on the institution as a whole.
At the same time, this is a place of learning. The academic and professional life of a student is in the balance. The university’s decisions should factor in the eventual sentence — if there is one — as well as the idea that Moshen’s private actions are separate from her academic career.
Moshen shouldn’t be expelled. This was a case of very poor judgement or unchecked passion. Suspension, in Moshen’s case, would appropriately stress the seriousness of her actions, but allow her to redeem herself.
Similar disciplinary actions should take place for Moshen. It might feel good or justified to harshly punish her, but that would ignore the complexities of the situation. To punish without thought is not a good way to go about doing things. She messed up. Give her a chance to fix it.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
