Jewish student files complaint against Columbia for suspension over fart spray

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Author: MICHAEL STARR
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The student had been suspended after attending a January 17 Pro-Palestinian protest in which "he sprayed into the air a novelty, non-toxic 'fart' spray named 'Liquid Ass' and 'Wet Farts.'" The complaint filed to the United States Southern District of New York Court stated that he had purchased the gag sprays on Amazon for $26.11

Students for Justice in Palestine Columbia (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace Columbia (JVP), both of which had been suspended in November for holding unsanctioned events, claimed that activists had been hospitalized after being attacked with an "illegal chemical-based weapon."

SJP had claimed that the student, a former IDF soldier, had used Skunk, a foul-smelling anti-riot agent. Pro-Palestinian activists have frequently referred to the incident and the "chemical warfare" in online advertisements and activist materials.

Columbia is Ground-Zero for Jew-hatred

The filing noted that there was no evidence to support the claims that the students were harmed by the spray, and that those who filed complaints against the plaintiff had declined counseling and medical evaluations.

They had also opened fundraising pages for donations to alleviate their alleged suffering. The university allegedly accepted these claims to characterize the plaintiff as dangerous.

"Plaintiff brought this spray along with him to the rally, to express his speech and thoughts regarding the pro-Hamas pro-Palestine, anti-Israel sentiment," said the filing. "Students at the rally shouted genocidal slogans such as 'Intifada,' 'Jewish Genocide,' 'Glory to the Martyrs,' 'Expulsion of IOF [IDF] students,' and 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be Free.'

"While at the rally, and during the chants of genocidal slogans, Plaintiff sprayed the odorous spray in the air – not directly at any individual. 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 filing said the university took no action against the students calling for violence at an "unauthorized event" in violation of university policies, calling it an expression of speech, but soon placed the Jewish student on interim suspension on January 21. The university said the incident may have been "serious crimes, possibly hate crimes."

"Columbia engaged in...