Long v. DePaul University

Summary

On November 26, 2024, two Jewish students filed a lawsuit against DePaul University, alleging negligence after they were assaulted on campus while advocating for Israel. The lawsuit arose directly from an incident on November 6, 2024, in which the students were physically attacked during a pro-Israel demonstration. The complaint stated that the university had prior knowledge of antisemitic incidents and a hostile environment toward Jewish students and failed to implement adequate security or preventive measures. It argued that this inaction contributed to the harm the students suffered and that the university had not maintained or enforced policies to protect students from hate-motivated violence, despite prior reports of harassment and intimidation.

The November 6 attack involved an individual confronting and physically assaulting the students on campus. The plaintiffs alleged that university officials failed to take reasonable steps to prevent further harm or to warn students about known risks. The lawsuit cited previous antisemitic incidents, including verbal harassment, intimidation during demonstrations, and derogatory messaging in classrooms and campus spaces, as evidence that the university was aware of a pattern of threats. The plaintiffs sought damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, and disruption to their educational experience caused by both the assault and the university’s alleged negligence.

In response to the November 6 incident, DePaul University officials issued statements condemning the attack, asserting that acts of hate had no place on campus, and noting cooperation with the Chicago Police Department’s investigation. The university stated that student affairs and public safety offices were offering support to the affected students and that campus safety measures had recently been strengthened.

In April 2025, the alleged assailant, Adam Erkan, was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of hate crimes; prosecutors stated the assault was motivated by the students’ religion. In late 2025, Erkan entered a guilty plea to the charges, and sentencing was scheduled for a later date. Following the filing of the lawsuit, federal authorities, including congressional committees and the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, requested documents and information from DePaul regarding campus safety and antisemitic incidents. The Department of Education’s review was part of broader Trump administration efforts to enforce Title VI protections nationwide and address antisemitism at colleges. DePaul’s president was called to testify before Congress about the university’s handling of antisemitism and measures to protect students. DePaul filed a motion to dismiss the civil lawsuit, arguing it had no duty to protect the students from the assault. The lawsuit remains unresolved as of March 2026.