Two lawsuits against UCLA describe a rise in antisemitic and anti-Palestinian bias on campus following protests over the Israel-Hamas war. The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California alleges that UCLA suppressed antiwar voices and unlawfully arrested protesters, seeking to have disciplinary records expunged and prevent future academic discipline against protesters. The lawsuit also calls for an injunction to prevent dispersal orders based solely on suspected breaches of university policies targeting pro-Palestinian voices. The amended complaint includes personal accounts of how students and a professor were affected by the demonstrations.
Campus protests last spring included violent clashes between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators, leading to concerns about free speech and safety on campus. UCLA’s response to the protests and the establishment of task forces to examine antisemitism and Islamophobia have come under scrutiny. Reports found that students and faculty protesting the war in Gaza faced tighter free speech restrictions than pro-Israel demonstrators and were targets of violence. The reports also highlighted concerns of anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli bias on campus, with over 100 Jewish or Israeli American community members reporting attacks or threats.
The protests and counterprotests have continued into the new academic year, with tensions escalating and at least one arrest made during a recent demonstration. UCLA has faced criticism for failing to control tensions and ensure the safety of all community members. The lawsuits aim to address discrimination against Jewish and Israeli community members, implement new legislation, and address concerns about the work environment for faculty, staff, and students to mitigate adverse consequences to the university.
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