On Tuesday, March 12, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and Palestine Legal announced a lawsuit against Columbia University for the suspension of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and BC/CU Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP).

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and advocacy group Palestine Legal announced their lawsuit against Columbia University for the “unlawful suspension” of two student groups, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and BC/CU Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). The March 12 announcement follows a February 23 demand wherein the NYCLU stated that if the suspension of the two student groups was not reversed by March 1, they would sue. SJP and JVP were suspended in November 2023 after holding what Columbia admin refers to as unauthorized demonstrations. 

The NYCLU claims that the suspension of SJP and JVP violated Columbia’s own policies regarding student protests. Citing the policies and procedures established after the protests of 1968, the NYCLU asserts that Columbia’s actions violate the established policies. The statement notes that although private universities such as Columbia University and Barnard College are not bound by the First Amendment, they are bound by their own policies when regarding disciplinary actions against student groups. Moreover, the NYCLU raises concerns that the University’s actions were motivated by the student groups’ political stance in support of Palestinian rights.

Palestine Legal Senior Staff Attorney Radhika Sainath claimed that pro-Palestine students “pose a threat to the status quo,” leading them to be “targeted for McCarthyist censorship.” Sainath affirmed that due to established rules, universities should not discipline students for pro-Palestine speech “in the moment when they are most essential – even if donors and lobby groups complain.”

Attorneys from the NYCLU and Palestine Legal will bring the case to the New York County Supreme Court. The lawsuit was filed electronically on Monday, March 11.

Low Library via Bwog Archives.