Identity of Speakers
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Leah Garrett
Faculty/Staff
OtherDirector of the Jewish Studies Center at Hunter College
Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Lawsuit
Other
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Incident Political Orientation:
Not Clear -
Incident Responses:
Rally or Protests
Litigation
Title IX or other federal statute
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Incident Status:
In litigation Federal District Court
- Did not involve Speech Codes
Summary
Leah Garrett, Director of the Jewish Studies Center at Hunter College, filed a federal lawsuit in December 2024 against the City University of New York (CUNY), alleging that the university’s failure to address antisemitic protests had created a “hostile work environment.” The suit cites instances such as students displaying bloodied Stars of David and swastikas, as well as demands to expel Zionists, which were allegedly ignored by the administration. Garrett claims that CUNY’s inaction violated her civil rights and contract, and seeks damages.
In May 2025, the Trump administration’s Department of Justice intervened in the case by filing a statement of interest supporting Garrett’s claims. The DOJ emphasized that while First Amendment protections are crucial, they do not absolve institutions from their responsibilities under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to prevent discrimination and maintain a non-hostile environment. This intervention is part of a broader effort by the administration to hold universities accountable for failing to address antisemitism, including actions against institutions like Columbia and Harvard.
