Education Secretary Miguel Cardona issued a statement on Tuesday condemning the recent events at Columbia University in the middle of bipartisan concerns about antisemitism on campus.
“Antisemitic hate on college campuses is unacceptable. I am deeply concerned by what is happening at Columbia University,” Cardona stated in a post on X.
Columbia University has been grappling with the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” for almost a week, where students have taken a stand, demanding actions such as divesting from Israel.
Miguel Cardona (Credits: CNN)
The situation escalated to the extent that at least three students were suspended, and others faced arrest by the New York Police Department. The university responded by transitioning to hybrid classes for the remainder of the semester due to the unrest.
“In November 2023, our Office for Civil Rights initiated an investigation of Columbia involving Title VI. While we can’t comment on pending investigations, every student deserves to feel a sense of safety and belonging at school.
Hate has no place in our schools. All education leaders must stand definitively against hate, antisemitism, anti-Arab, and anti-Muslim sentiment,” Cardona emphasized.
While some lawmakers, including Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), have called for the resignation of Columbia’s president, Cardona refrained from taking a position on the matter.
Miguel Cardona (Credits: CBS News)
“While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous — they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America,” echoed the sentiment from the White House in a separate statement.
Cardona’s statement underscores the gravity of the situation at Columbia University and the need for decisive action to address antisemitism and ensure the safety and well-being of all students on campus.
