A new lawsuit accuses Columbia University of failing to protect Jewish students amid a wave of anti-Israel protests raging on Ivy League campuses.
The class action lawsuit, filed Monday by anonymous students, recognizes the right to protest and the university’s long-standing presence as a forum for lively discussion of dissent.
However, the plaintiffs argued that while some of the Colombian demonstrators were peaceful, many others “continued to engage in violent behavior.”
“They are threatening and harassing Jewish students, faculty and staff, and inciting hate speech to protesters,” the complaint says.
“[They] They have also committed, and continue to commit, acts of violence, and even called for terrorist attacks against the United States and the state of Israel. ”
According to a complaint filed against university trustees, Jewish students have been physically attacked and targeted with pro-Hamas hate speech.
The lawsuit also accuses the protesters of inciting violence against Jewish students and pro-Israel counterprotesters on campus.
Jay Edelson, one of the lawyers in the case, said, “Until a few weeks ago, Columbia University was providing students with a safe place to learn, discuss, and even protest.” “I told everyone about it,” he said. news nation.
“But now Jewish students are being forced off campus by open intimidation and harassment by extremists in an increasingly violent protest movement.
“Instead of protecting students, Columbia University has been colluding by offering college ‘internet options’ available only to students who cannot be protected. We are fighting for safe passage on campus for all Columbia University students. They all have that right. ”
The lawyers argued that listening to and negotiating the camp’s demands and moving to a hybrid learning model would be “unfair” and create further tensions between Jewish and non-Jewish students.
The students who filed the lawsuit, whose names have not been disclosed, also represent all other Columbia University students who were forced to study online as a result of the protests.
The lawsuit requires Columbia University to comply with student safety policies and return to in-person learning, as well as compensatory and punitive damages.
