The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating Atlanta’s Emory University for alleged anti-Muslim discrimination on campus. This investigation follows a civil rights complaint filed against the school by the Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Georgia) and Palestine Legal on behalf of Emory Students for Justice in Palestine. It is claimed that Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students have faced harassment, intimidation, and discrimination on campus, with their flyers being torn down or thrown away. The groups are seeking accountability from the university and a safe environment for advocating for Palestinian rights.
Emory University has received the complaint from the DOE and will respond, but is unable to discuss an open investigation. CAIR-Georgia has praised the investigation, hoping that it will compel the university to address the discrimination faced by Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab students. The DOE confirmed the investigation but provided no further comment. This comes at a time when there have been violent anti-Israel protests on college campuses across the United States. At Emory, at least 28 people were arrested during a demonstration at the Emory Quad, with police using Tasers, tear gas, and pepper balls to control the situation.
Former FBI Special Agent Nicole Parker criticized the focus on investigating anti-Muslim discrimination rather than antisemitism on campus, suggesting that the federal criminal justice system is biased under the Biden administration. She believes that the system picks and chooses who they protect, with a focus on investigating conservative groups over progressive ones. Parker highlighted the FBI’s definition of a hate crime and encouraged students who feel they are victims of hate crimes to contact the FBI for assistance. She emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators of violence and criminal activity accountable.
The FBI has stated that they are in close contact with state and local law enforcement partners regarding potential threats at college campuses. The agency respects individuals’ right to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights but investigates those who violate federal law through violence or criminal activity. Parker stressed the importance of prosecuting violent acts, terroristic threats, and destruction to the fullest extent of the law. She urged students to report any incidents they believe constitute hate crimes to the FBI for investigation. Emory Students for Justice in Palestine have not responded to requests for comments on the issue. The investigation into anti-Muslim discrimination at Emory University is ongoing, with no further comments provided by the DOE.
