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New York Post
SUNY student who stormed into office and tore down pro-Israel banners claims administrator ‘attacked’ him: suit
By Steve Janoski,
19 days ago
A student who filmed himself storming into a New York college administrator’s office and tearing down two pro-Israel banners is suing the school – and claiming the official “violently” attacked him.
Purchase College administrator Paul Nicholson allegedly attacked sophomore Cesar Paul, who went into his office and tore down a pair of banners that said “We Stand with Israel” on Dec. 12, 2023 because they made classmates feel threatened and marginalized, the student said in the lawsuit.
But after he took down the pieces, Nicholson — an ombudsman who runs two other programs at the Westchester County school in the SUNY system — allegedly went after the young man.
Cesar Paul of Westchester County is suing SUNY Purchase over a confrontation with an administrator. Instagram / Cesar Paul
“Paul was violently attacked, grabbed by his shoulders, and pushed to the ground by Nicholson,” the lawsuit said. “Paul did not retaliate with physical force of any kind. He chose not to fight back.
“As Paul tried to get up, he began calling for help, as he was fearful of what Nicholson might do next,” the suit continued. “Nicholson then forcefully grabbed Paul, aggressively pushing him out of his office.”
The two then got into a tug-of-war over the banners, which Paul eventually released as another student stepped in and separated the pair, the lawsuit said.
Paul said, “I’m gonna take these down,” as he grabbed the banners. YouTube / @KaraDep87 Paul struggles with Nicholson over the banners. YouTube / Raise The Consciousness at Purchase During the confrontation, Paul yelled, “Free Palestine, bro!” YouTube / Raise The Consciousness at Purchase
“What can I do for you?” Nicholson said.
“I’m gonna take these down,” Paul said as he grabbed the banners.
Paul was later suspended from the school for four months and put on probation through May 2025, it added.
The student claims the suspension and subsequent punishments were “not in due proportion to the nature and seriousness of the offense,” and only levelled against him in retaliation for Paul’s criticism of Israel and support of the Palestinian people.
“Paul did not physically harm, threaten, harass, intimidate, abuse, coerce or detain Nicholson at any moment, nor did he ever intend to do so,” the suit said. “His sole intent was to remove the banners that posed a threat to student safety.”
In a confrontation he filmed himself, Paul walked into the administrator’s office and took down his pro-Israel banners. Instagram / Cesar Paul
In the lawsuit, Paul also took issue with the way his disciplinary hearing was handled, among other things.
In an emailed statement, Purchase College President Milagros “Milly” Peña said the school “unequivocally stands by our disciplinary process.”
“Purchase College will never tolerate threats, harassment, or intimidation,” she wrote. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to a safe and hate-free environment with zero tolerance for bias, hatred, or discrimination of any type, including antisemitism.”
The sophomore wants the courts to reverse the school’s sanctions and pay for the cost of the lawsuit.
Nicholson did not respond to a request for comment.
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