Mahmoud Khalil lawsuit says Columbia failed to protect pro-Palestinian activists

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil sued Columbia University on Monday, alleging it failed to address harassment against him and other members of a pro-Palestinian campus group and retaliated against them when they reported it.

The university’s “deliberate indifference” led to the doxing of multiple group members and Khalil’s detention by immigration agents, according to the civil rights lawsuit filed in federal court in New York City.

At a news conference announcing the lawsuit, Khalil accused the university of “discrimination aimed at intimidating Palestinian students.”

“We are suing because no student, regardless of their background, should go through the hell that Columbia put us through over all these years,” he said.

The university declined to comment on the lawsuit, but said in an email that “creating a campus environment where every member of our community feels welcome, supported, and safe is fundamental to who we are as a University.”

“Columbia is committed to protecting our community from discrimination and harassment, and responding promptly and appropriately when concerns arise,” it said.

Khalil also sued Columbia last year to block the release of student records to a congressional committee.

A former graduate student at Columbia University, Khalil gained prominence as a spokesperson for student…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health