Trump govt sues University of California for antisemitism
The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has filed a lawsuit against the University of California for its “deliberate indifference to race and national origin discrimination” against Jewish and Israeli students at its University of California, Los Angeles campus, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“Earlier this year, we sued UCLA for subjecting its Jewish and Israeli employees to an antisemitic hostile work environment,” said assistant attorney general Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division on Tuesday. “Now, the Department of Justice calls UCLA to account for its toleration of the equally appalling hostile educational environment against its Jewish and Israeli students.”
Universities have an obligation to maintain safe and inclusive campuses for all students, according to first assistant U.S. attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. Mr Essayli noted that universities that violate “our nation’s civil rights laws by repeatedly failing to shield Jewish students from antisemitism will be held accountable”.
After the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, antisemitic hatred against UCLA’s Jewish and Israeli students reached a point where students were physically assaulted, injured, excluded from campus, and deprived of educational opportunities because of their perceived Jewish or Israeli heritage, stated the DOJ.
As alleged in the United States’ complaint, UCLA violated Title VI through its deliberate indifference to this pervasive on-campus antisemitism.
UCLA also breached its funding contracts and grants with the U.S. by certifying the school’s compliance with its Title VI duties to protect all students from unlawful discrimination while allowing discrimination against Jewish and Israeli students to infect its campus.
The allegation added that UCLA’s tolerance of antisemitism reached a flash point in April 2024 when masked demonstrators erected an encampment outside of Royce Hall and slapped, kicked, beat with sticks, doused with pepper spray, and knocked unconscious Jewish and Israeli students.
During this time, occupiers formed “human phalanxes” to block Jewish and Israeli students from entering academic buildings.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
Naira ends week stronger with 0.9% gain against dollar at official market
Data published on Friday by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed the local currency gained N1.34 compared with Thursday’s closing rate of N1,381.52 per dollar.
States
Niger: Police rescue two suspected phone thieves from mob
He identified the suspects as Hassan Abdullahi, 20, and Khalifa Bashir, 22.
Heading 5
Court of Appeal nullifies Electoral Act provisions on parties’ primary election, membership register
Zenith Party argued that the disputed Electoral Act provisions unlawfully interfered with the internal affairs of political parties.
Lagos
Governor Sanwo-Olu inaugurates climate investment fund
Mr Sanwo-Olu described the fund as a landmark intervention.
States
Judiciary partners revenue board to boost IGR in Taraba
Mr Agya commended the service for its reforms.
NationWide
NRC reaffirms police partnership to protect rail assets
Mr Opeifa described the nation’s railway infrastructure as critical national assets that must be safeguarded.
