(CLEVELAND, OH, 11/13/24) – The Cleveland & Northern Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) today welcomed a federal probe of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) allegedly targeting and intimidating students involved in Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).
Yesterday, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced that it has opened a formal investigation into discrimination against Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students at Case Western Reserve University.
CAIR-Ohio previously filed a Title VI Complaint against Case Western Reserve University (CWRU)
This complaint filed by CAIR-OHIO in July, details the university’s bias and hostility against students protesting for Palestine, including, but not limited to failure to address harassment, and unequal disciplinary actions against Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students.
While OCR looks into all the complaints it receives, it only opens a formal investigation when it determines the facts warrant a deeper look. OCR will examine whether CWRU’s actions complied with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
SEE: Title VI Complaint Against Case Western Reserve University
Executive Director of CAIR- Cleveland & North, Faten Odeh stated, “We are pleased to receive notification that our Title VI Complaint we filed on behalf of Case Western Reserve University students has been opened for investigation by the Office of Civil Rights. Institutions of education have a duty to protect students when it comes to safety and their rights no matter what their national origin, their faith or their political beliefs.”
The attorney who represents the students, Maryam Assar, stated:
“We welcome this investigation into Case Western’s discriminatory conduct against Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students that the administration has not ceased since this complaint was filed several months ago. Indeed, this is the rule of law and civil rights working as they should—to protect these targeted students, who like all other Case students, have the right to a safe and nondiscriminatory learning environment.”
In 2022, the Undergraduate Student Government voted in favor of a resolution which encouraged the university to investigate how its funds are invested in Israeli companies, the Case Western Reserve Observer reported. Since the fall of 2023, students have reported to CAIR-Ohio increased push-back and hostilities from the university including banning them from campus, prohibiting them from attending their own graduations and withholding some law degrees.
Law student and Legal Assistant, Shatha Shahin, stated:
“President Kaler has to decide between complying with federal law and protect students’ rights or yield to external pressure from donors and politicians. Case Western Reserve University must respect students’ rights to protest, especially when those protests address the university’s investments in weapons technologies and industries undeniably linked to the occupation of Palestine. For too long, anti-Palestinian racism has gone unaddressed at CWRU. We hope this investigation will bring these issues to light and validate the resilience of students facing repressive rules intended to harass, intimidate, and threaten those protesting against genocide. As always, free Palestine!”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland & North Executive Director Faten Odeh, fodeh@cair.com, 216-440-2247; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com