Loyola Marymount University is investigating an increase in antisemitic insults and other hate speech on campus in the wake of a meeting of the Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA) that ended early after pro-Hamas protesters “harassed and bullied” attendees.
“During an April 16 event planned by the Jewish Law Students Association, community members were subjected to antisemitic insults,” Loyola Law School said in a statement days after the event. “The law school rejects hateful rhetoric – in this case, antisemitism leveled against members of the law school community. Antisemitism has no place on our campus or in our society.”
In a statement provided to the Southern California Record, the law school’s administration said community members reported on other hateful remarks, including some marked by racism, misogyny and attacks on the personal appearance of some attendees.
“While our investigation is under way, we have implemented interim safety measures on campus,” the statement said. “We are also implementing procedures to prevent behavior that violates our code of conduct or is inconsistent with our mission and values.”
At the event last month at Loyola Law School, the JLSA had invited two U.S. citizens who served in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to provide another perspective on the war in Gaza. A campus protest by the university’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) also got under way in April to demand an end to the conflict. Protesters also challenged a recent move by the Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University to veto a resolution to boycott companies that allegedly support Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Not all of the protesters at the JLSA event were members of SJP, according to media reports.
In a message on Instagram, the JLSA said its members were devastated by the actions of their law school classmates.
“Amid an event featuring Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) members sharing their harrowing firsthand experiences from the Israel-Gaza War, several Loyola students attended with malicious intent, aiming to disrupt the event,” the post states. “Instead of attempting to listen and engage in a respectful dialogue with the IDF soldiers, the IDF soldiers and students were harassed and bullied without any provocation.”
Brietta Clark, interim dean at the law school, said in an April 26 statement to the law school community that the school is conducting a comprehensive investigation of the complaints about antisemitism and is weighing disciplinary action.
“Because of federal and state privacy laws pertaining to the confidentiality of student records, we cannot comment on an active investigation, nor should we prejudge its findings,” Clark said. “I appreciate your patience as the investigation proceeds.”
The university is also increasing resources available to students who were mentally or emotionally traumatized by the event
“We are working with Public Safety to enhance our security protocols as appropriate,” she said. “Our campus leaders will continue engaging students, faculty and staff to offer guidance and support.”
The law school community should attempt to display a renewed sense of kindness and respect toward each other, according to Clark.
Unlike other universities, LMU has not canceled its 2024 commencement event. Entertainer John Legend is the keynote speaker at the school’s undergraduate commencement ceremony, which is scheduled for this week.