- For Immediate Release and Distribution -

(CHICAGO, IL, 7/24/2024) – The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a decision by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to investigate Northwestern University after Palestinian and Muslim students said the university created a hostile environment and failed to protect them from threats and discrimination. 

Palestine Legal filed the Title VI complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights on behalf of four students. 

SEE ALSO: CAIR-Chicago Opposes University attacks on non-violent freedom of speech and assembly.

“We welcome this investigation as we have received dozens more complaints from Northwestern students. We hope this and other government action ensure that students who exercise their constitutional rights to speak out against genocide can do so in a safe environment, free of threats and harassment,” said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab. 

CAIR-Chicago recently held a press conference to highlight a landmark lawsuit through which victims targeted for their defense of the Palestinian people will utilize the recent Civil Liability for Doxxing Act (Public Act 103-0439) and has previously condemned discrimination against anti-genocide protesters. 

CAIR-Chicago’s mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote understanding.  

CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; Maggie Slavin, Operations Manager of CAIR-Chicago, 815-590-3991, mslavin@cair.com; Hafsa Haider, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 561-317-7509, hhaider@cair.com