The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has launched a formal investigation into a civil rights complaint filed last week accusing Harvard University of failing to protect Palestinian students and allies from targeted racism and harassment.
The complaint, filed by the Islamic Law Foundation on behalf of more than a dozen students, says the university protects students from “harassment, intimidation, and intimidation based solely on their status as Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, and supporters of Palestinian rights.” I couldn't do it,'' he claims. ” the legal fund said in a news release. The students say they have been victims of “the leakage of personal information, stalking, and assault.”
“Students who reported harassment to Harvard administrators received slow and ineffective responses, often met behind closed doors, and in some cases threats of restrictions or withdrawal from future academic opportunities.” the group said.
The school is also under investigation by the Department of Education over allegations of anti-Semitism on campus. That investigation began late last year.
In a statement Tuesday, the Islamic Legal Fund included testimony from an anonymous Palestinian student who described the harassment on campus as “shocking, horrifying and outrageous.”
“We are being followed, spat on, stalked and followed, not only on campus but also in our families’ homes,” the student said, the foundation quoted the student as saying. I live in fear of being attacked on my way to class. ”
The group said students should call on the Department of Education to “do what Harvard has refused to do” to truly investigate what is happening to students and prevent other students from experiencing racism and harassment. He said he is demanding that the government be held accountable.
Harvard University said it supports the Office for Civil Rights' efforts to ensure students' rights and will “work with the Office for Civil Rights to address their questions.”
Last week, a spokesperson did not comment on the complaint, but NBC I was introduced to the news.
The list also included a link to Harvard University Dean Rakesh Khurana's Oct. 12 statement condemning anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and discrimination.
The Office of Civil Rights will review all complaints received, but will only initiate a formal complaint “if the allegations merit detailed consideration,” the Legal Fund said in a statement.
The Office of Civil Rights did not respond to requests for comment.
Since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, reports of harassment and discrimination in U.S. schools have skyrocketed, leading to arrests.
