Northwestern University Students Take on Antisemitism: Voices of Change Head to D.C.

Northwestern University is currently facing scrutiny from the Trump administration regarding its handling of antisemitism complaints on campus. Recently, a group of students traveled to Washington, D.C. to express their concerns to lawmakers and visit the White House.

This investigation stems from what the Department of Education described as “explosions of antisemitism” on college campuses, particularly following the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Department raised issues related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which helps protect individuals from discrimination based on national origin at federally funded schools.

In March, the Department informed 60 colleges and universities, including Northwestern, that they were being investigated for potentially violating Title VI due to reports of antisemitism.

Recently, several buildings at Northwestern were vandalized with red graffiti containing antisemitic messages, including “Death to Israel” on Kresge Hall. This has left some students feeling unsafe. Max Schlanger expressed, “You would not feel safe on campus.” He and fellow student Or Yahalom are among those advocating for change in D.C.

Yahalom mentioned facing social backlash from peers for participating in this effort. This issue has been exacerbated by a recent performance by an Arab dance group at the university, which some students found offensive. The shirts worn by the performers displayed the word “Palestine” in Arabic, which sparked controversy just weeks after graffiti incidents occurred.

Ahmad Awad, from the dance group, defended their performance as part of Arab Heritage Month, arguing that there shouldn’t have been any political implications. However, Northwestern’s administration condemned the event, expressing disapproval of the performance during a time meant for community and relaxation. The university stated that they would be reviewing their contract with the dining company responsible for the event and have temporarily relieved some of their staff of duties.

This incident reflects broader trends of rising antisemitism and tensions on U.S. college campuses. According to a report by the Anti-Defamation League, incidents of antisemitism in the U.S. have surged by 34% over recent years. This situation underscores the need for dialogue and understanding among diverse student groups.

As students like Schlanger and Yahalom gather in D.C. for a national press conference, they hope to bring attention to these pressing issues, including the need for respectful discourse and security on campus. Schlanger noted, “It’s just going to do more to remedy the situation.”

For further insights on campus safety and inclusivity, you can refer to the [Anti-Defamation League](https://www.adl.org) for resources and support.

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Northwestern University, Antisemitism, Washington, Washington D.C.