Emory University Faces Lawsuit Over 2024 Gaza Protest Crackdown

Three tenured professors—Noëlle McAfee, Emil’ Keme, and a third faculty member—filed a civil complaint alleging wrongful arrests and prosecution after Emory University called Atlanta police and state troopers onto campus in 2024, ending a protest encampment against Israel’s assault on Gaza within an hour. The suit claims the university violated its open-expression policy and seeks to prevent future police involvement in campus demonstrations.

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Earlier in 2024 Emory expelled law student Milano Wayne for repeated racist, misogynistic and trans-phobic messages, including an email promising to “stomp on n****s.” Simultaneously, the DeFlock Emory coalition gathered over 1,000 signatures opposing Flock Safety license-plate-reader cameras over data-sharing concerns with agencies such as ICE. Faculty and student leaders in the lawsuit include philosophy chair Noëlle McAfee, Indigenous K’iche’ Maya scholar Emil’ Keme, and Student Bar Association past president Kylie Doyle.

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• Early 2024 – Protest encampment shut down within an hour.

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• 13 April 2024 – Ten students meet Dean Richard Freer.

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• 23 April 2024 – Milano Wayne expelled.

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• 29 April 2024 – DeFlock Emory calls for mass mobilization.

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• 7 May 2026 – Lawsuit filed.

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The case tests the balance between campus safety and the right to protest at a major university, while raising concerns about private surveillance technology and the institution’s response to hate-speech.

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Spokesperson Laura Diamond said the lawsuit is “without merit” and that Emory “acts appropriately and responsibly to keep our community safe from threats of harm.” The administration also condemned harassment, threats, and bullying, and announced a review of data-sharing practices for the Flock cameras.

The Guardian

Faculty and students argue that the swift police response to the 2024 protest contrasts with the months-long disciplinary process for Milano Wayne’s racist communications. Plaintiffs claim the university’s actions violated its open-expression policy and created a climate of fear. Stefano Harvey linked the incident to a broader trend of universities operating like corporations under political pressure.

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The university emphasizes safety and responsible data handling, while plaintiffs emphasize trauma, lack of apology, and a perceived authoritarian shift. No independent verification of police tactics or the internal investigation timeline is provided.

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• “The trauma of that day, the violence of it, are so massive and so disruptive – and the administration has taken no ownership for what they did, and provided no apology.” — Noëlle McAfee, Philosophy Chair

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• “When the university had students and faculty protests on campus, they were immediately arrested and shot with rubber bullets and tear gas,” — Kylie Doyle, Student Bar Association

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• “One statement said the lawsuit is “without merit” and that “Emory acts appropriately and responsibly to keep our community safe from threats of harm”.” — Laura Diamond, University Spokesperson

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• “The swift clampdown on protest and brutal arrests, he said, “went against the principles the school defends: search for knowledge, dialogue and so on”.” — Emil’ Keme, Plaintiff

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Emory will face a court hearing on the lawsuit, and the DeFlock Emory coalition plans further mobilization to demand policy revisions on campus surveillance and hate-speech enforcement.

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