Activists file Title VI complaint against Tulane University

NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) –– A small group of protesters gathered outside Audubon Park across the street from Tulane University on the morning of Friday, July 12, to announce a Title VI complaint against the university.

Title VI is part of the Civil Rights Act; it prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin.

“The complaint was filed on behalf of Tulane Students for Democratic Society, the Arabic club and a couple of individual students,” said Silas Gillett with Tulane Students for a Democratic Society.

Last April, several students were arrested and suspended for participating in an illegal encampment protest on Tulane’s front lawn.

“Part of this is also to put some more pressure on the school because they are still actively charging more students,” said Gillett.

The Office of Civil Rights is reviewing the complaint to determine whether an investigation is needed. A decision has not been made at this time.

Tulane released a statement following the announcement:

Islamophobia, antisemitism and other forms of bigotry and hate have no place at Tulane University. We are proud to be a welcoming home for students of varying backgrounds and national origins, and we strive to build a community where students are safe and encouraged to express their cultural and religious identities, as well as share their viewpoints on the war in Gaza and other national and global issues. We also support the rights of all students to participate in lawful demonstrations, vigils and other events related to these issues. It is important to note that this complaint is one of hundreds made to the Office of Civil Rights against institutions around the country. Tulane has not received a notice from OCR indicating that they have opened a formal investigation in response to this complaint, which was filed by four students and their attorney. Tulane would, however, fully comply with any Department of Education OCR investigation that may result from this complaint and look forward to sharing with the OCR information on the matters raised in this complaint as well as our continued efforts to support a learning environment that is free of harassment and discrimination based on shared ancestry or national origin.

Statement from Tulane University

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