We the undersigned write this letter in strong and unwavering support for Dr. Wendy Leo Moore, Associate Professor of Sociology at Texas A&M University, and Dr. James M. Thomas, Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Mississippi.  
 
As revealed in an article published this week in The Chronicle of Higher Education, entitled, “Faculty Members Joined a Day of Action to Protest Racial Inequality. Now 2 are in Hot Water,”(1)  these two sociologists have been unfairly targeted by their universities and, in the case of Thomas, by the State Auditor.(2)  They have been threatened with dismissal or firing for participating in the recent national #ScholarStrike. This two-day national action was aimed at making “a collective stand against police violence (particularly against communities of color) in the United States.” The #ScholarStrike took place on September 8th and 9th was supported by the American Sociological Association(3).  Over 600 scholars(4)  from across the United States participated, from Harvard University(5) to the University of California (6).  Canadian scholars(7)  also participated, demonstrating their support for Black Lives and bringing attention to anti-Black police brutality in the United States and Canada.
 
We the Undersigned write in strong support of Drs. Moore and Thomas. We assert that Drs. Moore and Thomas have been wrongly attacked for demonstrating their commitment to social justice and fighting anti-black racism, consistent with the principles of academic freedom. We demand that Texas A&M University and the University of Mississippi stop or disavow the threats and intimidation being leveled against these two sociology professors. We demand that Texas A&M University and the University of Mississippi support them fully as valuable members of our academic community.
 
We stand in solidarity with Dr. Wendy Leo Moore and Dr. James M. Thomas.  
 
Signed,

link to letter with signatures: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12lPnYGHxkjyuZvHSMn_rn3evoLvp2xcP3FK4ymVmhv8/edit?usp=sharing

  1 https://www.chronicle.com/article/faculty-members-joined-a-day-of-action-to-protest-racial-inequality-now-2-are-in-hot-water?cid=gen_sign_in
  2 https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2020/09/16/mississippi-auditor-investigating-ole-miss-professor-striking/5807047002/
  3 https://www.asanet.org/scholarstrike
  4 https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/08/28/professors-plan-strike-racial-justice
  5 https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2020/9/9/scholar-strike-racial-justice/
  6 https://www.dailycal.org/2020/09/10/uc-berkeley-professors-take-action-in-solidarity-with-nationwide-scholar-strike/
  7 https://scholarstrikecanada.ca/