A Columbia University student who served in the Israeli armed forces is suing the institution after he was suspended for using “fart spray” during a pro-Palestinian protest. The lawsuit accuses the school of selectively enforcing its policies to protect students. The student, identified as “John Doe,” attended a rally on campus and sprayed a novelty, non-toxic fart spray in the air as an expression of his speech. However, the university quickly punished him for his conduct, while ignoring similar actions at pro-Palestinian rallies filled with antisemitic rhetoric. The student, who is described as a Jewish Hispanic immigrant with dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, faced threats and doxxing, forcing him to leave his apartment and distance himself from loved ones.
Following the incident, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul supported a NYPD investigation and called for the perpetrator to be charged with a hate crime. The lawsuit also lists a number of alleged antisemitic incidents at the school going back decades and accuses university administrators of failing to protect Jewish students after an attack on Israel by Hamas. Anti-Israel protests on campus have included calls for violence and genocide against Jewish people. Columbia’s Interim Provost Dennis Mitchell issued a memo stating that the NYPD was investigating what appeared to be serious crimes, possibly hate crimes. Some students claimed to have been injured by the spray and collected thousands of dollars through fundraising pages.
The student, represented by attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, maintains that the reaction to the incident and the subsequent investigation have severely impacted his academic progress and future prospects. The lawsuit claims that the suspension and biased investigation have delayed his graduation and will permanently derail his future. The student is seeking unspecified damages for the harm caused by the university’s actions. Columbia University declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing its policy on pending litigation. The complaint highlights the disparity in treatment by the university towards students engaged in similar acts of expression, as well as the failure to protect Jewish students in the face of antisemitic rhetoric and threats.
The lawsuit also accuses Columbia University of ignoring the student’s requests for help after receiving antisemitic and death threats, leaving him vulnerable and in fear for his safety. The student had to leave his apartment and distance himself from loved ones due to the threats and doxxing he faced. The incident involving the fart spray led to a suspension and investigation, which the lawsuit claims have caused significant harm to the student’s academic and personal life. While students who claimed to have been injured received support through fundraising efforts, the plaintiff faced negative consequences and a lack of protection from the university.
In addition to the specific incident involving the fart spray, the lawsuit highlights a pattern of antisemitic incidents at the school over the years, as well as a lack of action to protect Jewish students following an attack on Israel. Anti-Israel protests on campus have included calls for violence and genocide, creating a hostile environment for Jewish students. The student’s attorney argues that the reaction to the fart spray incident and subsequent investigation have unfairly targeted his client, delaying his graduation and impacting his future. The lawsuit seeks damages for the harm caused by the university’s actions and the failure to provide a safe and equitable environment for all students. Columbia University has not commented on the lawsuit, citing its policy on pending litigation.
