Justice Department sues UCLA over treatment of Jewish Israeli students

The Justice Department has initiated legal action against UCLA, alleging that the institution showed negligence towards discrimination and violence against Jewish and Israeli students. This follows a protest in 2024 where students were reportedly beaten and pepper-sprayed. Human rights attorney Brooke Goldstein commented on the growing politicization of anti-Semitism.

In a separate incident, a man named Olumuyiwa Akindafunsi, 29, was charged last week for allegedly assaulting five women within a brief period on the UCLA campus. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, he has been accused of sexually assaulting two women while attempting to do the same to a third. Additionally, he is reported to have physically assaulted two other women, four of whom are students.

Akindafunsi, who is not affiliated with the university, faces serious charges, including one felony count of attempted kidnapping for the purpose of rape, three felony counts of assault with intent to commit rape during first-degree robbery, and two felony counts of assault likely to cause severe bodily injury.

“These troubling attacks directly undermine campus safety, traumatizing multiple victims and making university life hazardous,” stated Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. He emphasized that the office is collaborating closely with the UCLA Police Department to ensure justice is served.

Akindafunsi’s alleged assaults began around 11:30 p.m. on May 28 when he reportedly attacked a woman on Bruin Walk, a central area on campus, and took her cell phone. After that, he entered a dorm building, where he is suspected of sexually assaulting one woman and attacking another, though the two women managed to escape.

Later, he attempted to kidnap another woman in the dorm hallway, but she was able to flee. Subsequently, he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in that same hallway until residents intervened, prompting him to escape.

Following immediate reports from witnesses, campus police arrested Akindafunsi near a parking lot shortly after the incidents. Eyewitnesses were able to identify him as the assailant, and he was found wrapped in zip ties and duct tape.

Akindafunsi remains in custody without bail, but details regarding his citizenship status are still unclear. Reactions from the university, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have not yet been made available.