Introduction to the Incident
Two Jewish students at DePaul University, who police say were attacked last fall while showing support for Israel, filed a lawsuit against the college, claiming it was negligent and failed to protect their safety while on campus.
The Attack and Its Aftermath
On Nov. 6, Max Long and Michael Kaminsky were outside DePaul’s student center, located in the 2200 block of North Sheffield Avenue in Lincoln Park, when they were approached and attacked by two men wearing black face masks, according to Chicago police. The men beat them with their fists and either a soda can or water bottle, according to the complaint filed in Cook County Circuit Court. Long suffered a concussion, and Kaminsky fractured his wrist during the attack, the complaint says. A DePaul Public Safety officer was also present but failed to intervene, according to the lawsuit.
Investigation and University Response
The incident is being investigated as a hate crime by the Chicago Police Department. No arrests have been made since the attack. A DePaul spokesperson said the university values the safety of its students and condemned antisemitism. The school is working with Chicago police on the investigation and said resources are available to students who were affected. “We unequivocally condemned this violent attack when it occurred,” a statement from the university said. “Such an act clearly defies DePaul’s values to uphold and care for the dignity of every individual.”
Lawsuit Details
Long and Kaminsky claim that “criminal activity was foreseeable,” and DePaul should have known attacks on Jewish and Israeli students were imminent. The students accuse the university of creating an environment that puts Jewish and Israeli students “in harm’s way,” and of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, according to the lawsuit. They demand a jury trial and a judgment of at least $50,000. “Jewish students should feel safe on their own campus,” Kaminsky said at a news conference announcing the suit. “When universities infringe upon these rights, accountability must be demanded.”
Background and Context
The attack took place several months after pro-Palestinian students erected an encampment on DePaul’s campus, following a national trend that saw students call for an end to the Israeli bombardment of Gaza in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel. Around the time of the encampment, DePaul received reports of at least one death threat, 13 harassment allegations, 16 instances of intimidation, four credible threats of violence, 34 reports of antisemitism, 77 reports of individual safety concerns, and four allegations of battery, according to the complaint.
Students’ Actions Prior to the Attack
For a few weeks before the attack, Long, who lived in Israel and was a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, wore a sign around campus that read “Come talk about Israel with an IDF Soldier.” Kaminsky, who founded the DePaul chapter of Students Supporting Israel, joined him. “I was doing my duty to protect my people and defend my homeland,” Long said about his time as an Israeli soldier. “I will never apologize. I have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Altercation and Security Concerns
A week before the attack, Long also got into an altercation with a student he’d previously had a conflict with. According to the complaint, that student said “In any other circumstance, [Max] would find [himself] bleeding and on the ground.” Around the same time, DePaul canceled a contract with a private security company it had hired during the encampment, which Long and Kaminsky claim left them vulnerable to physical violence.
Attorney’s Statement
“This case should put an end to the false narratives that seek to dismiss concerns about the rise of antisemitism on our college campuses by falsely calling them attacks on free speech,” said Jaclyn Clark, one of the attorneys representing Long and Kaminsky. “Jewish students on college campuses are not looking to censor the speech of their classmates, they are living in constant fear for their safety on campus. We really see that as two separate issues, and whatever your political views are on the Israel/Palestine conflict, all students at college campuses in the United States deserve to be safe and have equal educational opportunities.”
Conclusion
The lawsuit filed by Long and Kaminsky against DePaul University highlights the critical issue of campus safety, particularly for Jewish and Israeli students who may face heightened risks due to their support for Israel. The incident and the university’s response underscore the need for educational institutions to balance free speech with the protection of all students’ safety and well-being.
FAQs
- Q: What happened to the two Jewish students at DePaul University?
A: They were attacked while showing support for Israel on campus. - Q: Is the incident being investigated as a hate crime?
A: Yes, the Chicago Police Department is investigating the attack as a hate crime. - Q: What are the students claiming in their lawsuit against DePaul University?
A: They claim the university was negligent, failed to protect their safety, and created an environment that puts Jewish and Israeli students in harm’s way. - Q: What was the context of the attack?
A: The attack occurred after pro-Palestinian students erected an encampment on campus, and there were reports of threats, harassment, and antisemitism. - Q: What do the students and their attorney hope to achieve with the lawsuit?
A: They hope to hold the university accountable for its alleged failure to protect them and to highlight the issue of antisemitism on college campuses.
