Two Jewish students, Max Long and Michael Kaminsky, are taking DePaul University to court, citing the institution's alleged negligence, which they say led to their being attacked on campus, as reported by WGN News. The incident, labeled a hate crime by police, took place last November when the students were assaulted by two masked individuals.
The lawsuit, which is seeking damages for both the physical and emotional toll on the students, claims that a DePaul security officer was nearby during the attack but failed to intervene effectively. In a statement obtained by CBS News, the plaintiffs allege that the officer "stopped one of the assailants, but then inexplicably let him go." The violent incident has sparked concerns regarding the security and protection of Jewish students on campuses nationwide.
Long, an IDF reservist, and Kaminsky, a member of Students Standing with Israel, claim to have reported prior experiences of antisemitism to the university, including threats and harassment. Despite previous incidents, DePaul is said to have terminated a contract with a private security firm just days before the assault, a decision that was reversed post-attack. "DePaul has failed me, not just as a student but as a human being," Long told CBS News.
The students have detailed an ongoing campaign of hate since the incident, with reports of flyers calling Long a "wanted" person and referencing him as an "IDF butcher." The lawsuit underscores a concerning uptick in violent antisemitic rhetoric on campus. The lawsuit is looking to secure more than $50,000 in damages from the university.
While the search for the suspects continues, DePaul University has yet to publicly respond to the recent lawsuit. University president Rob Manuel previously voiced a zero-tolerance policy for "acts of hatred, violence, Islamophobia, or antisemitism." The legal action taken by Long and Kaminsky could serve to force a reassessment of campus safety and the measures in place to protect students from hateful acts and discrimination.
