Student protest faceoff
NYCLU sues Columbia over suspension of pro-Palestinian groups
The New York Civil Liberties Union said Tuesday it had filed a lawsuit over demands that Columbia University reinstate two suspended pro-Palestinian student groups.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, alleges that Columbia violated its policies by punishing the campus chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voices for Peace for protests over the Israel-Hamas war. While private colleges are not bound by the right to free speech, state courts have established that disciplinary action must follow their own rules and guidelines, according to the NYCLU.
“Students protesting at private colleges still have the right to fair, equal treatment — and we are ready to fight that battle in court,” Donna Lieberman, executive director of the NYCLU, said in a statement.
Last semester, university officials suspended the two student groups, citing repeated violations of campus event policy in the leadup to a Nov. 9 protest, which included “threatening rhetoric and intimidation.” NYCLU denied the accusations and said the demonstration was sponsored by a coalition of more than 20 groups.
The next day, Columbia “singled out” the two organizations and suspended them, with no opportunity to respond to the charges, according to court documents.
The civil liberties group alleges that action broke with procedure established after 1968 campus protests over the Vietnam War and Columbia’s plans for a gym that would displace mostly Black residents, landing the moniker “Gym Crow.”
Those policies were “unilaterally amended” this school year as protests over Israel’s military counteroffensive in Gaza roiled the Morningside Heights campus, according to the NYCLU. The plaintiffs, including two current students, allege that university officials later conceded that “things last semester had happened outside of the normal protocol.”
The suspension, which means the two groups cannot use university spaces or receive funding, was scheduled through the fall term.
To be reinstated, they had to comply with policy and meet with administrators. A spokesman for Columbia declined to comment on pending litigation.
“We are committed to free and open debate, and the principle that the right to speak applies equally to everyone, regardless of their viewpoint,” the school policy says. “They also have a corresponding responsibility not to interfere with the rights of others.”
On Monday, Columbia President Minouche Shafik was called to testify in mid-April as part of a House probe, and she faces a federal lawsuit over alleged campus antisemitism. The NYPD is also investigating reports that pro-Palestinian students were sprayed with a chemical on campus.
The family of American-Israeli soldier Itay Chen remained hopeful for a larger hostage release even after his death was announced Tuesday.
“Unfortunately, we are where we are, and somehow we need to pick up the pieces and move on,” Chen’s father, Brooklyn-raised Ruby Chen, told the Daily News. “Now, it’s putting the focus on the hostage deal, getting a deal in place to help all the other families to have their loved ones back.”
Chen, 19, was thought to be taken hostage by Hamas in the group’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel. However, Israeli authorities announced Tuesday that Chen was killed in the attack and his body was being held in Gaza.
About 250 people were taken hostage in the assault. According to Israel, 134 hostages were still held by Hamas on Tuesday, though 34 of them were dead.
“We still need a deal to get all 134 loved ones back, regardless of state, meaning alive or not,” Ruby Chen said. “That’s the mission for the prime minister of Israel, for the president of the United States, keep on putting pressure on all the international players, and get a deal done.”
Though Itay Chen grew up in Israel, he had many connections to New York through his father, a Knicks fan.
Ruby Chen said the family had continued hoping for his son’s safe return as the war dragged on. However, they identified his body Tuesday morning through videos and intelligence information.
“He’s been missed for five months, and he’ll be missed for much more,” Chen said. “He’s a good kid. He’s like any other kid you’d meet on the streets of New York City. He loves basketball, PlayStation. He has two siblings, one elder, one younger, he’s the connector.”
Chen said he believes a deal for the remaining 134 hostages is close to completion. The return of his son’s body would “enable my family to have closure, and to be able to move on,” he said.
Hagit Chen, Ruby’s wife and Itay’s mother, was a guest of Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) at last Thursday’s State of the Union address. President Biden released a statement Tuesday after Itay’s death was confirmed.
“Today, as we join Itay’s parents, brothers and family in grieving this tragic loss, we keep this reminder close to our hearts,” the president said. “And I reaffirm my pledge to all the families of those still held hostage: We are with you. We will never stop working to bring your loved ones home.”