The Council on American Islamic Relations advocacy group said on Tuesday it filed a civil rights complaint on behalf of some students at the University of Georgia alleging differential treatment of people of Palestinian, Arab and Muslim descent.
The complaint alleges the University of Georgia's actions violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars federal funds recipients from allowing discrimination based on race, religion and national origin. It was filed with the U.S. Education Department and urges a federal probe into the university.
The council said pro-Palestinian students have been the target of anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and Islamophobic harassment since Israel's war in Gaza began, adding the university did not do enough to prevent the harassment or remedy its effects.
The university said it supports free speech and does not discriminate based on race or religion while also enforcing its rules and holding accountable those who violate policies.
There have been numerous protests in the United States, including on college campuses, against U.S. support for Israel's war in Gaza, with some turning violent.
There has also been antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric in some protests and counter protests. Human rights advocates have warned about rising antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate.
The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered last Oct. 7 when Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel's subsequent assault on the Hamas-governed enclave has killed over 41,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry, while displacing nearly the entire population of 2.3 million, causing a hunger crisis and leading to genocide allegations at the World Court that Israel denies.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana Queen Mothers Foundation leads campaign against hate speech
13 mins -
President of National House of Chiefs opposes calls for a ban on mining activities
16 mins -
Ghana steps up STEM education with 16 regional centres
18 mins -
Mahama promises to build cocoa processing plant in Kukuom
22 mins -
NPP government has made education for all Ghanaian children a priority – Rebecca Akufo-Addo
34 mins -
Michael Soussoudis
43 mins -
Fire destroys about 500 structures in Tema squatter community
54 mins -
Wizkid teases new collab with U.S. singer Brent Faiyaz
1 hour -
UK train drivers vote to accept pay deal, ending two years of strikes
1 hour -
Netherlands seeks opt-out from EU migration rules – eventually
2 hours -
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs will stay in jail after bail is denied for a second time
2 hours -
Epidemiologist underscores role of media on reporting health crisis
2 hours -
US sues ship firms for $100m over Baltimore bridge crash
2 hours -
48 factories constructed under 1D1F in Ashanti Region – K. T. Hammond
2 hours -
MPs’ financial sacrifice; is it worth the cost? – John Awuah quizzes
3 hours