Emory University Under Federal Investigation for Alleged Anti-Muslim Discrimination

The US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched an investigation into Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, following allegations of severe anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and Islamophobic discrimination on campus. The investigation, prompted by an 18-page complaint filed on April 5, 2024, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, details incidents of harassment and unequal treatment faced by Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students at the university.

Why this matters: This investigation highlights the growing concern of discrimination against Muslim and Arab students on US campuses, which can have a chilling effect on their ability to express themselves freely and participate in academic life. If the OCR finds Emory University in violation of Title VI, it could set a precedent for other universities to take concrete steps to address similar allegations and ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

The complaint, submitted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Georgia chapter and Palestine Legal, describes numerous incidents of students facing anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and Islamophobic harassment. Students reported being followed and filmed on campus, called terrorists and fake Muslims, and having their flyers ripped out or thrown in the trash. Despite multiple bias reports submitted through the university's incident reporting process, Emory allegedly failed to act on a majority of the claims.

Azka Mahmood, CAIR-Georgia Executive Director, stated: "The opening of this investigation by the OCR is a welcome step and one we hope leads to answers about the failures of Emory University to address anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian activity since October last year, despite several bias reports and a letter from civil rights organizations." CAIR-Georgia and Palestine Legal had previously sent a letter to Emory administrators on January 24, 2024, warning of the hostile environment on campus, but the university dismissed these concerns and failed to take measures to protect students.

The investigation comes less than a week after Emory University called in Atlanta police officers to violently arrest dozens of peaceful student protesters opposing Israel's actions against Palestinians and the university's alleged complicity. Police used tear gas and pepper balls, and brutally attacked faculty and bystanders, including slamming a professor's head into the concrete and repeatedly tasering a Black medic. An Emory student and complainant in the Title VI filing said: "After witnessing what occurred last Thursday with the police raid on a peaceful protest, and given Emory's continuous suppression of our open expression, this investigation gives me hope. For once, Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students are heard on campus."

If the OCR investigation finds Emory University in violation of Title VI, the school could face the loss of federal funding. Radhika Sainath, senior staff attorney at Palestine Legal, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating: "The law is clear: if universities do not cease their racist crackdowns against Palestinians and their supporters, they will risk losing federal funding." She added, "Students have the right to speak out against the genocide of Palestinians, without fear of unequal treatment, racist attacks or being denied access to an education by their university."

Key Takeaways

• The US Dept. of Education's Office for Civil Rights is investigating Emory University for alleged anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and Islamophobic discrimination.
• The investigation was prompted by an 18-page complaint filed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Students reported harassment, unequal treatment, and bias incidents, which Emory allegedly failed to address despite multiple reports.
• If found in violation, Emory could face loss of federal funding and set a precedent for other universities to address similar allegations.
• The investigation is one of at least six similar claims of Islamophobic and anti-Muslim treatment on US campuses, including Columbia University.