A Jewish woman previously employed at Pomona College has initiated legal action against the University of Southern California, citing feelings of unsafety during pro-Palestinian demonstrations that took place on campus in 2024.
Melody DiDonato, who held a position in the university’s IT department, stated in her complaint, lodged in Los Angeles County Superior Court, that escalating worries about the protests forced her to resign in May 2025.
She is pursuing damages amounting to at least $1 million.
According to her attorney, David Tashrudian, the protests denied DiDonato “unfettered access to the entire community,” and she faced discriminatory and harassing behavior, which he claims violated the law.
The complaint reflects DiDonato’s shock as she witnessed the protests that disrupted Pomona College in 2024. Throughout the year, demonstrators voicing dissatisfaction with Israel’s actions in Gaza occupied various locations on campus, including the graduation stage and the Oval Office.
She reported being exposed to “anti-Semitic graffiti” and finding “broken glass” scattered around campus for months.
In May, she reached out to the university’s relationship department regarding her mental health and PTSD stemming from her encounters with violent protests and anti-Semitic incidents, as detailed in her complaint.
She also noted that her supervisor made remarks about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which she felt targeted her identity as a Jewish American. The subject line of one such message read, “Welcome to the apartheid state.”
Her lawsuit alleges that the human resources department neglected to address her concerns effectively.
According to DiDonato, Pomona College did little to mitigate the protests, refusing to clear the encampments and provide more police presence. Following the occupation of the Oval Office, her fears intensified that protesters might target more buildings.
All of this contributed to her belief that she might “encounter one of the violent protesters” and feel “extremely threatened and unsafe,” as stated in the suit.
She claims she was put on sick leave in June 2024 due to stress, and ultimately, she was unable to work on campus the following year due to mental distress.
While the case is still active, Pomona College maintains that it “categorically denies these allegations and continues to defend its position in court.” The college emphasized that discrimination and harassment, including anti-Semitism, contradict its core values and have no place on campus.
Tashrudian expressed hope that the lawsuit will “make campus safer for all students, faculty, and staff.”
