The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) argues that a federal court should not order it to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitism when they return to campus in the fall after a “campout” this spring.
UCLA was the scene of some of the most violent anti-Semitism among dozens of “encampment” protests that spread across the country. Jewish students were barred from public areas of campus and from attending some classes by pro-Palestinian activists. Harassment of Jewish students continued while there were pro-Israel counter-protests. Police only intervened after pro-Israel vigilantes attacked the encampment.
Three Jewish students are suing UCLA in federal court under civil rights law, seeking a preliminary injunction requiring the university to ensure students’ safety when they return to campus.
UCLA supported activist groups who set up camps that harassed Jewish students and blocked their access to classes, libraries, and other important parts of campus. UCLA enforced these zones by erecting metal barriers and chasing away Jewish students, but did not take effective steps to ensure safe passage for Jewish students. UCLA’s policies harm Jewish students and violate numerous provisions of the U.S. Constitution and the California Constitution, as well as multiple civil rights laws.
the responseIn a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court, UCLA acknowledges that it installed metal barriers around the encampment but argues that it did so to prevent the encampment from expanding, not to reinforce the perimeter (which is made of wood and old furniture).
UCLA denies supporting the pro-Palestinian activists, but acknowledges that it decided not to initially call in police, “choosing first to try de-escalation strategies to peacefully and permanently dismantle the encampment.” The university falsely claims that it hired “third-party” security guards to “protect the neutral area with the task of preventing escalation of violence,” but this is false; the guards followed the orders of the pro-Palestinian activists and did not prevent the violence.
The university claims that its policy does not violate free speech: “UCLA’s actions do not suppress or coerce speech.” This is also false: the journalist was assaulted by members of the camp.
UCLA says its existing policies are sufficient to comply with federal civil rights law and that it is currently investigating past civil rights violations on campus against Jewish, Arab students and others.
This incident Frankel v. Regents of the University of CaliforniaWestern Chapter, Central District of California – Los Angeles, No. 2:24-CV-4702-MCS.
Joel B. Pollack is executive editor of Breitbart News. Breitbart News Sunday The show airs Sunday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. (4 to 7 p.m. ET) on SiriusXM Patriot. He is the author of “Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days,” which is available for preorder on Amazon. He also wrote,The Trump Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trump’s Presidency” is available on Audible. He is the 2018 recipient of the Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter. Joel Pollack.
