The University of California Davis is the subject of a new federal civil rights complaint filed alleging the Northern California university turned a blind eye to antisemitic harassment on campus. StandWithUs Center for Legal Justice says the university has “tacitly” endorsed speech by employees that violates Jewish students’ rights.
The complaint is asking the Office for Civil Rights to investigate all incidents targeting the Jewish community. It also seeks to require UC Davis to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism and to be guided by that definition where discrimination is suspected. SCLJ also wants UC Davis to train staff and administrators on Jewish identity and antisemitism.
One incident involved a faculty post on X calling out “Zionist journalists who spread propaganda and misinformation.” The American Studies professor goes on to say, “they fear their bosses but they should fear us.” The post was decorated with knife, ax and blood emojis. Chancellor Gary May called the comments “revolting,” but officials are concerned about discipline for speech which may be protected by the First Amendment.
