Five Columbia University students are suing members of the "Squad," alleging they incited anti-Israel protests and disrupted campus activities.
According to Fox News, the lawsuit targets prominent politicians and claims the protests harassed Jewish students and forced significant changes to university operations.
The class action lawsuit names Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Rep. Jamal Bowman, D-N.Y., and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., alongside about a dozen anti-Israel organizing groups. According to the lawsuit, the protests and encampments at Columbia University disrupted campus life, were illegal, and violated university rules. The plaintiffs, who have chosen to remain anonymous, include two Jewish students who allege harassment and intimidation by protestors.
One student, identified as "Tim Doe," shared his experiences with the New York Post, detailing encounters with antisemitic signs and messages, including offensive posters featuring the Star of David. Doe recounted an incident where he was harassed and physically confronted for wearing a yarmulke, highlighting the aggressive nature of the protests.
The Gaza Encampment, which gained international attention, is described in the lawsuit as extreme and outrageous conduct. The encampment's scale and duration forced classes to move online and heavily restricted access to campus buildings. Columbia University ultimately had to cancel its graduation ceremony due to the disruptions caused by the protests.
The lawsuit claims that 36,000 students at Columbia University suffered real damages due to the protests. These students, who obeyed university rules and pursued their education, were frustrated by the actions of their classmates and professors, allegedly with the assistance and encouragement of outside activists. Faculty members also participated in the campus takeover, further complicating the situation.
Tim Doe's testimony underscores the emotional and physical toll on Jewish students during the protests. He described being singled out and shoved by a pro-Palestinian protest leader, an experience that illustrates the intensity of the conflict on campus.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Jamal Bowman, and Rep. Ilhan Omar are all named in the lawsuit, which accuses them of inciting and encouraging the anti-Israel protests. The lawsuit claims that their positive remarks about the protests contributed to the hostile environment on campus. The named politicians have not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit's allegations.
The protests featured numerous offensive and antisemitic signs and messages, as described by Tim Doe. These included antisemitic skunk posters with the Star of David, which were particularly distressing to Jewish students. The protests' impact extended beyond the physical disruptions, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
The lawsuit's description of the protests as illegal and in violation of university rules adds a legal dimension to the emotional and physical grievances raised by the plaintiffs. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for how universities handle similar protests in the future.
The protests at Columbia University were part of a larger movement that made international headlines, drawing attention to the intense debate over Israel and Palestine. The involvement of prominent political figures like Ocasio-Cortez, Bowman, and Omar brought additional scrutiny to the events on campus. The lawsuit's outcome could influence how universities across the country address protest activities and the involvement of external political figures.
Columbia University's decision to cancel its graduation ceremony due to the protests emphasizes the significant impact on students' academic experiences. The disruption of final exams and the move to online classes added further stress to an already volatile situation.
Five Columbia University students have filed a class action lawsuit against members of the "Squad," alleging that they incited and encouraged anti-Israel protests that disrupted campus life and harassed Jewish students. The lawsuit specifically names Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamal Bowman, Ilhan Omar, and a dozen anti-Israel organizing groups. The protests forced classes online, limited access to campus buildings, and led to the cancellation of the university's graduation ceremony. The plaintiffs, including two Jewish students, described experiences of harassment and intimidation, adding emotional and physical dimensions to the legal claims.
