This spring, a student who led an anti-Israel campaign at Columbia University was suspended for a hateful video in which he said, “Zionists don't deserve to live,” leaving the Ivy League school behind. I'm appealing.
Kaimani James, 21, of Boston, violated university policy and was denied due process and fair treatment when she was suspended, according to a Sept. 27 Manhattan Supreme Court filing. It is said that it was done.
According to court documents, James was suspended from campus in April primarily because of media pressure, and in part because he was unfairly targeted because he is Black and pro-Palestinian. That's what it means.
James' suspension “incited hatred” against him on the Morningside Heights campus, the complaint added.
The student activist alleges in the lawsuit that university officials “routinely privilege students who support Israel over those who do not, reward malicious behavior, and actually encourage violations of student policy by supporters of Israel.” They are turning a blind eye,'' he said.
James actively participated in the anti-Israel encampment protests that have gripped occupied Colombia since early April.
The encampment turned campus upside down for months and was the first of dozens of similar protests that have plagued universities across the country.
James himself made headlines after the Daily Wire revived a video of him coming under fire from the university's Center for Student Success and Intervention over an Instagram post.
“Zionists are not entitled to live comfortably, much less Zionists are entitled to live,” James filmed himself telling a panel discussion.
“We are so comfortable accepting that Nazis don't deserve to live, fascists don't deserve to live, racists don't deserve to live, Zionists don't deserve to live in this world. Like,” James said.
“Thank God I'm not just going out and killing Zionists,” he added. “I have never hurt anyone in my life, and I hope to continue to do so.”
According to the complaint, James was summoned to the university committee through a letter in December 2023, while he was studying abroad in London.
At that point, he was already receiving threatening messages in response to the “anti-war and anti-genocide political beliefs” he shared on his personal Instagram account, according to the filing.
When Colombian officials disputed James's statements about killing Zionists, the student quickly said, “I felt very comfortable, very comfortable calling for those people to die.”
Following backlash over the video, Columbia University confirmed that James had been “banned” from campus.
The letter announcing his suspension cited an incident in which he organized a human chain to prevent counter-protesters from entering a lawn where an anti-Israel camp was set up.
According to James' complaint, his suspension remains in effect.
James, who had not posted on social media since late April, returned to Company X last week to announce the lawsuit.
“This morning, my lawyers and I filed a lawsuit against Columbia University. In addition to being intimidated by billionaire donors and fascist politicians, I am grateful for the actions they have put me (and many others) through. The discrimination was disgusting.” he wrote.
One user replied: “Any updates on whether you think Zionists deserve to die?”
James responded, “Do you have any updates on what it's like to be a loser?”
James is seeking damages from the university and a declaration from the court acknowledging that his rights were violated.
His attorney, Jonathan Wallace, defended Professor Mohamed Abdu, who was fired from Columbia University after expressing support for the October 7 Hamas attack.
Wallace did not respond to The Post's request for comment. Columbia University also did not immediately respond to the Post's request for updated information.
