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UCLA Seeks Dismissal of DOJ Antisemitism Lawsuit
By Drooid · · How we work
Legal Battle Over Antisemitism Allegations
UCLA has filed a motion asking a federal judge to throw out a Justice Department lawsuit that accuses the university of facilitating antisemitism on campus. The department’s complaint, filed after protests in 2024, alleges that UCLA failed to take “serious action” to protect Jewish and Israeli students from harassment.
Background of Federal Action
The Justice Department began targeting UCLA more than a year ago, at one point demanding over $1 billion in damages and a series of policy changes to settle the dispute. The lawsuit follows a broader federal effort, under the Trump administration, to hold universities accountable for campus activism deemed hostile toward Israel. Those efforts faced setbacks in 2023 and 2024, prompting the department to pursue litigation against UCLA.
UCLA’s Response
In its filing, UCLA contends that the government ignored the university’s recent initiatives to improve campus climate. The school argues that the suit is less about civil-rights compliance and more about “weaponizing” those laws to coerce higher-education institutions. UCLA urges the court to reject what it describes as political coercion by the federal government.
Government Position
The Justice Department’s complaint asserts that UCLA violated federal law by taking no meaningful steps to protect targeted students during the 2024 protests. The department has not responded to requests for comment on UCLA’s motion.
Implications
If the court dismisses the case, it could limit the federal government’s ability to pursue large monetary penalties and policy mandates against universities over campus speech issues. Conversely, a ruling upholding the lawsuit would reinforce the department’s authority to enforce civil-rights protections in academic settings, potentially shaping how universities address future protests and student safety concerns.