(LOS ANGELES, CA – 11/15/2023) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned hateful comments reportedly made by a University of Southern California (USC) professor targeting pro-Palestinian protesters at a student-led protest on campus.
SEE: USC professor’s comments to students disrupt pro-Palestinian protest
Eyewitnesses said the professor allegedly walked on a list of names meant to memorialize the over 11,000 Palestinians who have been killed by Israel’s ongoing and violent assault on Gaza. In a video filmed by a USC student, one of the protesters can be heard saying, “It’s [the pro-Palestinian protest] just to pay respects to those who have been killed,” to which the professor replies, “Everyone should be killed, and I hope they all are.” The event was part of a nationwide ‘shutdown for Palestine.’
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“It is deeply troubling that this professor allegedly decided to direct his statements at pro-Palestinian students who were peacefully protesting on campus for the human rights and dignity of Palestinians. Anti-Palestinian rhetoric has been at an all-time high these last few weeks—especially at schools and universities—and wrongly conflating Palestinians and those who are in solidarity with the innocent people of Gaza with Hamas is only adding fuel to the flames of hate.
“We call on USC to publicly condemn the behavior of the professor and immediately investigate the incident. University officials must also take action to provide protective measures and resources for Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab students as well as any others who are targeted by hate and bigotry.”
CAIR-LA calls on USC to:
- Immediately investigate this incident as a hate incident and publicly condemn the statements made by and behavior of the professor.
- Take decisive action against the professor.
- Take appropriate measures to protect Muslim and Arab students on campus from the rising Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian hate.
If you or someone you know are the victim of a hate crime or incident, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights department at (714) 776-1177 or click here
SEE: CAIR-LA Receives ‘Unprecedented’ Increase in Reports of Islamophobia and Anti-Palestinian Bias
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com