DePaul University’s Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Speech Risks Violating Civil Rights Laws

DePaul University’s Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Speech Risks Violating Civil Rights Laws

In a May 23, 2025, letter to DePaul University, attorneys representing student organizers warned the University that it is at risk of violating federal civil rights laws by enabling a hostile environment for Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and associated students. The letter calls on DePaul to cease all discriminatory investigations and sanctions of Palestine advocacy groups and take steps to address anti-Palestinian racism on campus. A legal hold notice was attached, indicating that the students are prepared to take their case to court if necessary.

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Congressional Request for Thousands of Private Records of Pro-Palestinian Students at Columbia University Must Be Denied

Congressional Request for Thousands of Private Records of Pro-Palestinian Students at Columbia University Must Be Denied

Palestine Legal today announced the filing of a "friend of the court" brief in the lawsuit filed by detained Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and other Columbia students against the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Trump Administration. The brief argues that the Congressional request for thousands of pages of private student records is a clear attempt to suppress First Amendment-protected speech supporting Palestinian rights, which is neither their role nor within their power.

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Civil Rights Orgs: Columbia's Pro-Palestinian Encampment was a Lawful Expression of Protest Against Israel’s Genocide

Civil Rights Orgs: Columbia's Pro-Palestinian Encampment was a Lawful Expression of Protest Against Israel’s Genocide

Civil rights groups Palestine Legal and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) today announced the filing of a "friend of the court" brief in the lawsuit against the Trump administration's abrupt cancellation of $400 million in critical federal research funding for Columbia University.

The civil rights groups' amicus brief argues that pro-Palestinian encampments and other speech activity critical of Israel's ongoing genocide is protected under the First Amendment and does not violate federal civil rights laws.

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Columbia Students File Civil Rights Complaint After NYPD Arrests, National Guard Threat

Columbia Students File Civil Rights Complaint After NYPD Arrests, National Guard Threat

Today, Palestine Legal filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), demanding an investigation into Columbia University’s discriminatory treatment of Palestinian students and their allies, including by inviting NYPD officers in riot gear — for the first time in decades — to arrest over a hundred students peacefully protesting Israel’s genocide last week. 

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