Academics have for a long time been progressive activists at many schools.
> "The concerns articulated in the FfY formation statement pertain to universities — and not their members! — as activists."
There's no problem with individuals within academics being activists, but the institution itself should remain neutral. Its goal should be to foster an environment where ideas can be shared freely and considered by anyone.
Not all ideas are created equal. We have a long history of ideas, including sciences, that are discredited to a degree where they are, frankly, beneath consideration. Subjects like phrenology and eugenics, the creation theory for the origins of the universe, etc. IMO continuing to permit debate on some of these is not only harmful because the science itself was, in itself, harmful, but it's also a waste of an expensive institution's resources. At some point, further inquiry on a given subject just does not merit the time and energy of people who have far better work to be doing.
EDIT: or an atmosphere where certain ideas are favored because they support the activist ideas promoted by the institution.
That is the general idea of modern education: progress through study and research. We can of course go back to the old model: preservation through study and repetition. But I like modern technology. I also like modern ideas. I like to vote, and that other people are allowed to vote too. We should continue that progression.
Lots of people don't want progress. Returning the country to a perceived previous state is a cornerstone of "make American great again". A large part of the country actively wants to undo progress and return to what they believe was a more simple and understandable world.