A federal judge ordered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to allow people who camped out on campus last year in support to Palestine to return to campus, the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina announced.

When UNC administrators ordered law enforcement to clear the encampment in April 2024, and authorities arrested protesters, several of them were punished by being banned indefinitely from campus with no hearing the ACLU of North Carolina said.

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In a news release, the ACLU of North Carolina did not specify how many people were subject to the ban or how many would now be allowed back on campus.

The ACLU of North Carolina, Emancipate NC and Muslim Advocates filed suit on behalf of the protesters, alleging UNC’s actions violated the First Amendment right to free speech, the 14th Amendment right to due process and Fourth Amendment rights to be free from unlawful arrest and excessive force by law enforcement.

“This ruling serves as a reminder to public universities that they are not immune from First Amendment scrutiny,” ACLU of North Carolina staff attorney Ivy Johnson said in part.

Emancipate NC attorney Jaelyn Mliler added, “The court’s ruling marks a significant victory for free speech at a time when Frist Amendment rights are increasingly under siege.”

“Speech in opposition to the genocide in Gaza is entitled to the full protections of the law, and should never have been silenced,” said Muslim Advocates senior staff attorney Reem Subei.

WRAL News has reached out to UNC-Chapel Hill Media Relations for its response to the judge's decision.

"UNC-Chapel Hill is committed to fostering an environment where free speech and intellectual engagement flourish," the university's statement reads. "We will continue to support and encourage our Carolina community to exercise their free speech rights in a peaceful manner that is in compliance with laws and campus policies."   

Recent protests on the UNC campus

Since the uproar on campus over the Israel-Hamas war in spring 2024, UNC has seen other actions, including an immigration enforcement protest in January 2026, supporters backing a UNC professor who was suspended for his affiliation with a now-defunct anti-fascist group called Redneck Revolt, and  a pro-Palestinian protest in August 2024.