Jewish Columbia University student who was suspended for using 'fart spray' ... trends now
A Jewish Columbia University student is suing the school, claiming he was wrongfully suspended for using 'fart spray' at an anti-Israel protest in January.
The student, identified as 'John Doe' in court documents sprayed brands such as 'Liquid A**' and 'Wet Farts' into the air during the January 19 demonstration on campus, according to the lawsuit.
Members from two groups on campus, Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, claimed that two men sprayed them with a foul smelling chemical outside of Low Library, the New York Post reported.
The members claimed that the 'fart spray' that 'stink-bombed' them caused headaches, nausea and fatigue, according to court records.
A photo of two men at the protest circulated on social media, though it is unclear if they were the ones accused of spraying the smelly chemicals.
It is also unclear if one of the men pictured is the plaintiff who was suspended.
A Jewish Columbia University student is suing the school after being suspended for using 'fart spray' at an anti-Israel protest after an image of two men (pictured) went viral though it is unconfirmed if the men pictured were involved
Members from two groups on campus, Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, claimed the the men sprayed them with a foul smelling chemical outside of Low Library during the January 19 demonstration
The lawsuit was filed just one day before Columbia University President Nemat Shafik testified before the House Education and Workforce Committee about rampant anti-Semitism remarks on campus
The lawsuit was filed just one day before Columbia University President Nemat Shafik testified before the House Education and Workforce Committee about rampant anti-Semitism remarks on campus.
The student that sued the Ivy League university was a member of the Israeli military, Jeff Litchman, the student's lawyer, told the New York Post.
Litchman added that his client was suspended for a year and a half following the alleged incident.
'As a result of Columbia’s flawed and biased investigation and adjudication process, Plaintiff was found responsible for disruptive behavior, harassment, and endangerment, and sanctioned to suspension from the University, forever marring his educational file with an improper finding of responsibility,' the lawsuit said.
Students who claimed they were sprayed with the smelly chemicals said the scent resembled 'raw sewage' and 'dead mouse,' the lawsuit said.
The students filed reports with campus public safety, but declined counseling, medical evaluations, and psychological services, according to the lawsuit.
They added that the unidentified men acted 'especially aggressive' toward students that held signs that said 'Jews for ceasefire.'
'[The] plaintiff’s actions were a harmless expression of speech to demonstrate discontent with the pro-Hamas pro-Palestine message through the use of a gag gift, and nothing further,' the lawsuit said.
After the protest, the university charged the plaintiff with harassment, disruptive behavior, and endangerment, the lawsuit said.
Pro-Palestinian students take part in a protest in support of the Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, at Columbia University in New York City
The recent lawsuit against Columbia accused the school of a breach of contract under the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
