Harvard Sued Over Alleged Antisemitism

Harvard University has been unable to convince a U.S. judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Jewish students who allege that the institution has allowed antisemitism to flourish on its campus. U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns stated that the plaintiffs have made plausible claims regarding Harvard's inadequate response to incidents of antisemitism, suggesting that the university has failed to protect its Jewish students effectively. The lawsuit, initiated in January, accuses Harvard of selectively enforcing its anti-discrimination policies, thereby neglecting the safety and well-being of Jewish students. The students claim that the university ignored their requests for protection and employed faculty members who have supported anti-Jewish violence and disseminated antisemitic propaganda. Judge Stearns expressed skepticism about Harvard's defense, which argued that some of the activities in question were protected under the First Amendment. In his ruling, Stearns highlighted that the allegations indicate a pattern of deliberate indifference by Harvard towards its Jewish community. He emphasized that dismissing the complaint would essentially reward the university for public statements that, according to the allegations, have not translated into meaningful action against those perpetuating antisemitism on campus. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to address what the plaintiffs describe as violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, and national origin for recipients of federal funds. Harvard has yet to respond publicly to the ongoing legal proceedings.