Student sues New School for failing to stop anti-Israel harassment on campus
A recent federal civil rights lawsuit has been filed against a New York City university, the New School’s Parsons School of Design, alleging a climate of antisemitic hostility in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 massacre. The lawsuit was brought by the Dhillon Law Group on behalf of Brandon White, a recent graduate of Parsons.
The lawsuit claims that the university failed to protect White from assault, slurs, and a prolonged campaign of harassment, stemming from protestors’ mistaken belief that he was Jewish. The Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) group, along with faculty and other activists, are accused of harassing Jewish and Israeli students, or those who appear to belong to either group. Despite White not being Jewish or Israeli, he alleges that he was subjected to anti-Israel activists’ taunts and harassment.
According to the lawsuit, on Dec. 4, 2023, activists prevented White from entering the University Center for class, shouted slurs at him, physically assaulted him, and threatened him. White expressed his frustration, stating, “This lawsuit is about standing up to that kind of hate and holding the school accountable.”
Protesters also launched a smear campaign against White online, falsely claiming that he was a violent bigot. Despite White reporting the incident, the school initiated a disciplinary investigation against him instead of his alleged assailants. The university ultimately took no action against those who harassed White, dismissing his complaint.
StandWithUs Legal, which assisted White during the university’s investigation, is now serving as a legal consultant in his case against the New School. Yael Lerman, legal director at StandWithUs, emphasized the failure of the university’s investigation, stating, “The kangaroo court process didn’t just fail Brandon White—it sent a message that Jewish students, and those perceived to be Jewish, are not safe or supported on campus.”
The New School responded to the lawsuit by stating that they do not comment on pending litigation. They emphasized their commitment to maintaining a safe, civil, and respectful campus environment for all members of their community.
Matthew Sarelson, a partner at Dhillon Law Group, highlighted the broader implications of the lawsuit, stating, “This is about a university that allowed students and staff to use physical force and public smear campaigns against those they deemed ‘Zionists’, real or perceived, and then punished the victims instead of the perpetrators. What happened to Brandon was disgraceful.”
The case of Brandon White sheds light on the prevalence of antisemitism on college campuses and the need for institutions to address and combat such discrimination. As the lawsuit unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
