University of Massachusetts Amherst Under Federal Investigation for Anti-Palestinian Hostile Environment

University of Massachusetts Amherst Under Federal Investigation for Anti-Palestinian Hostile Environment

On April 16th, 2024, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced that it has opened a formal investigation into Palestine Legal’s complaint against the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst alleging a hostile anti-Palestinian environment in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

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2020 Snapshot: Top 10 Stories from Palestine Legal

2020 Snapshot: Top 10 Stories from Palestine Legal

Palestine advocacy in the U.S. - like all social justice organizing - has had to adapt amidst the unprecedented year that has been 2020. As we enter 2021, here’s a look back at some of our top stories from 2020.

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Palestine Legal's Top 12 Blogs of 2019

Palestine Legal's Top 12 Blogs of 2019

2019 was a big year for activists supporting Palestinian freedom. This growing movement has shifted the national conversation—creating space for members of Congress to openly support BDS for the first time. As we enter 2020, we’re taking a look at our most-read blog posts from 2019.

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Pro-Israel Students Drop Case Against UMass Amherst Over Palestine Event

Pro-Israel Students Drop Case Against UMass Amherst Over Palestine Event

Nearly eight months after filing a lawsuit against the University of Massachusetts Amherst, pro-Israel Jewish students dropped claims against the university for hosting an event on Palestine and free speech in May. The lawsuit relied on the same distorted definition of antisemitism included in President Trump’s new anti-Palestinian executive order – one designed to shield Israel from criticism – in attempt to censor the talk.

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Judge Rules Pro-Israel Students Cannot Anonymously Sue UMass Amherst Over Palestine Event

 Judge Rules Pro-Israel Students Cannot Anonymously Sue UMass Amherst Over Palestine Event

You may not be aware, but the lawsuit against the University of Massachusetts Amherst over its May event “Not Backing Down: Israel, Free Speech and the Battle for Palestinian Human Rights,” is still in play – sort of.  While the court allowed the event to take place, the anonymous plaintiffs did not drop the lawsuit, and the question of whether UMass Amherst violated Massachusetts discrimination laws and breached its contract with the anonymous pro-Israeli students is still before the court. But that lawsuit is now in limbo.

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