Questions? Contact: Reem Subei, [email protected]

Last week, on Monday, November 4, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened a formal investigation into anti-Palestinian racism at North Carolina State University (NCSU). The investigation comes as a result of a complaint filed earlier this year by an NCSU student who is associated with Palestinian identity. 

The student, referred to anonymously as A.A., asserted in his complaint that NCSU administrators and campus police violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) when they targeted him and other students on February 6, 2024, for intimidation and exclusion because of their association with Palestinian identity. A.A.detailed that NCSU excluded at least one student from the February 6 career fair due to the student’s possession of a small Palestinian flag. Meanwhile, protesters outside the fair were threatened with arrest because they were wearing keffiyehs, traditional Palestinian scarves that symbolize Palestinian strength, resilience, and perseverance, or because they were otherwise associated with Palestinian liberation. He also noted that protests not associated with Palestinian identity were not similarly treated.  

While OCR considers all complaints it receives, it only opens a formal investigation when it determines the alleged facts implicate discrimination and warrant a deeper look. 

“In addition to excluding and targeting, campus police arrested me, and NCSU launched baseless disciplinary proceedings against me. I had to get an attorney to get the criminal and disciplinary charges dismissed. No student should have to go through that or experience repression by their university because of their association with Palestinian liberation. I have asked the university before and I am asking again that they stop calling the police on protesters and that they start protecting Palestinian students and their allies,” said A.A.

NCSU’s chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and the Young Democratic Socialists of America welcome this investigation by OCR. “Students are facing anti-Palestinian racism and targeted repression on account of their activism in support of Palestinian lives. We deserve better and will not stand idly as the University attempts to silence us because of who we are and who we are associated with,” said a member of SJP and YDSA who chose to remain anonymous for fear of doxxing.      

A.A.’s complaint reflects broader national patterns of anti-Palestinian racism and McCarthyite repression against advocates for Palestinian freedom and of increasing violence and harassment against people who hold, are perceived to hold, or who are associated with Palestinian identity. Muslim Advocates will serve as counsel for A.A. during OCR’s investigation.