The director of the Jewish Studies Center at Hunter College in New York City has filed a federal lawsuit against the institution, alleging that pervasive antisemitism on campus has created a "hostile work environment" for Jewish faculty and students.
Professor Leah Garrett claims that the administration’s lack of response to anti-Israel demonstrations following the October 7 attacks has exacerbated the issue, leaving her and others on the campus vulnerable.
Hunter College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, the largest urban university system in the United States, has faced scrutiny for its handling of similar issues in the past. A spokesperson for the college declined to comment on the ongoing litigation but emphasized that the institution “does not tolerate antisemitism or hate of any kind."
The lawsuit details how, in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, protests erupted across the Upper East Side campus, where participants displayed posters depicting blood dripping from a Star of David and chanted slogans calling for the expulsion of Zionists. Garrett alleges that, despite repeated pleas to the college administration to address these incidents, no meaningful action was taken.
Garrett, who has served as the center’s director since 2018, describes the environment as one where Jewish students and faculty feel increasingly unsafe. One incident cited in the lawsuit involved swastikas scrawled on posters of Israeli hostages displayed around campus in November 2023. Garrett claims that, while she immediately reported the graffiti, the administration delayed removing it for hours, citing bureaucratic and legal hurdles.
Protests erupted across the Upper East Side campus, where participants displayed posters depicting blood dripping from a Star of David and chanted slogans calling for the expulsion of Zionists
Adding to the hostile climate, Garrett’s photograph was reportedly circulated on social media by an anti-Israel student organization. The lawsuit also mentions threatening messages she received, including one stating that “Satanists are more moral than Jews.” Garrett contends that the administration failed to take adequate steps to ensure her safety or to address the rising tensions on campus.
According to Garrett, the administration’s inaction has left her to navigate the challenges alone, forcing her to act as the primary advocate for Jewish students and faculty in an increasingly adversarial environment.
“I was horrified and distraught to see that immediately after October 7, there was a pervasive and constant series of antisemitic incidents that my students, my faculty, and I had to endure,” she said.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, accuses the college of violating Garrett’s civil rights and breaching her employment contract. It seeks damages, with the amount to be determined at trial. Garrett is represented by the Lawfare Project and the law firm Alston & Bird.
The situation has drawn attention from local leaders, including City Councilman Kalman Yeger, who recently co-authored a letter to CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodríguez, criticizing the university system for its handling of antisemitism on its campuses.
“Hopefully, this lawsuit will shine a bright light on yet another CUNY dumpster fire”, Yeger remarked.
In a related development, the U.S. Department of Education has reached an agreement with the University of California system, including UCLA, following complaints filed by Jewish and Muslim students regarding discrimination and harassment during protests surrounding the Gaza conflict. The complaints, which were investigated across several campuses, highlighted allegations of antisemitic and anti-Arab behavior, particularly during the spring protests.
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According to the Department's Office for Civil Rights, the universities' responses to the complaints were neither timely nor effective. As part of the agreement, the universities have committed to improving their reporting systems and reviewing complaints from the past two academic years. The agreement also mandates additional training for university staff and campus police on their obligations under federal law.
The protests, especially at UCLA, led to violent clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israel counter-protesters, prompting police intervention. Reports indicated that Jewish students were restricted from accessing certain areas, while Muslim and Palestinian students faced harassment, including doxxing and being followed on campus.
The University of California system has promised to take further steps to create a more inclusive and respectful campus environment, ensuring that all students feel safe and respected, regardless of their background or political views.