DOJ sues UC over alleged antisemitism in UCLA protests

The U.S. Department of Justice sued the University of California on May 27, alleging civil rights violations related to pro-Palestinian protests at UCLA in April 2024. The lawsuit, filed in the Western District of California, claims the university failed to protect Jewish and Israeli students during the encampment, which lasted from April 25 to May 2, 2024, when police cleared the campus. Federal prosecutors argue that UCLA’s inaction created a hostile environment for Jewish and Israeli students, violating civil rights laws. This follows a similar February lawsuit against UCLA for allegedly failing to address antisemitism among faculty and staff. The Justice Department seeks a court declaration of unlawful discrimination, policy changes, and a halt to federal grant payments until reforms are implemented. UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk rejected the accusations, stating that UCLA has actively combated antisemitism through measures like recruiting an associate vice chancellor for campus safety and reorganizing its civil rights office. Frenk emphasized the university’s commitment to addressing hate, citing personal history as motivation. The lawsuit is part of broader Trump administration actions targeting higher education, including investigations and funding freezes, which critics describe as political interference. Earlier this month, the Justice Department also accused UCLA’s medical school of racial discrimination in admissions. Over 200 college leaders condemned such actions in April 2025 as ‘unprecedented government overreach.’