[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today, LDB submitted a letter (below) to President Elliot Hirshman and Chief Diversity Officer Aaron I. Bruce of San Diego State University to express our concern about last week’s reported attack on a Muslim student on campus. While LDB focuses primarily on the rights of Jewish college students, it is important to support the right of all students to be free from invidious discrimination, and immediate action by the administration will help protect the rights of all groups on campus. November 25, 2015 Dr. Elliot Hirshman President San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-8000 (619) 594-5201 presidents.office@sdsu.edu Dr. Aaron I. Bruce Chief Diversity Officer San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-8000 (619) 594-3319 abruce@mail.sdsu.edu VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL Dear Dr. Hirshman and Dr. Bruce, We write on behalf of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (LDB), a national civil rights organization established to advance the civil and human rights of the Jewish people and promote justice for all, to express concern regarding the recent reported attack on a Muslim San Diego State University student. While our organization primarily addresses the rights of Jewish college students, we support the right of all students to be free from invidious discrimination. Based on our conversation with a San Diego State University student organization, as well as media reports, we are concerned that a hate crime occurred on your campus last Thursday, when a man reportedly assaulted a female Muslim student by grabbing her headscarf and choking her with it, while a number of onlookers stood by without intervening. The man also reportedly called the student a terrorist, telling her to “Get out of this country,” and insisting that “You people bombed Paris.” We are appalled by this act of hate, and we urge you to take immediate action by condemning this incident and announcing that hate crimes of any kind will not be tolerated at SDSU. Given the serious nature of this incident, we urge you to take the following steps promptly: Use this situation as a teachable moment, reiterating the values of the San Diego State University community, and showing your support for targeted students. The best such responses tend to share certain characteristics, such as promptness, specificity, prominence, balance, and courage; putting the event into context; following-up and firmly applying sanctions; and outreach to the affected group. Hold educational forums to discuss the serious nature of this incident and what can be done to eliminate further hate crimes against students of any identity group. Ensure that campus and community police conduct a thorough investigation and pursue available remedies under applicable law and campus policies. Please do not hesitate to call on us if we can be a resource to you. We can be reached by e-mail at klmarcus@brandeiscenter.com or by phone at (202) 559-9296. Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely, Kenneth L. Marcus President & General Counsel Aviva J. Vogelstein Staff Attorney Anne Crowell Civil Rights Legal Fellow The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Today, LDB condemned anti-Muslim hate as a reaction to reports of anti-Muslim rallies.In response to reports that extremist groups are designating October 10, 2015, as “World Anti-Mosque Day,” the Brandeis Center issued a call for tolerance, inclusion, and understanding. LDB, which was established to fight anti-Semitism on American college campus, has repeatedly denounced anti bigotry, hate, and violence directed against any group, including Muslim and Arab Americans. LDB President Kenneth L. Marcus commented, “It is deplorable to see acts of hate, intolerance and discrimination directed at Muslims or any other group.” While the Brandeis Center is primarily focused on combatting anti-Jewish incidents, the Center has also spoken out, publicly testified, and disseminated research regarding harassment of young Muslim students in particular, but also Muslim prisoners, and others who unjust treatment. Marcus explained, “We must work as a nation to combat all forms of bigotry. Any religiously motivated violence diminishes all of us.” It is estimated that there may be planned demonstrations outside at least 20 mosques nationwide. Police forces across the country are also on alert as the groups encouraged participants in states with open-carry laws to attend the rallies armed.