A CUNY law professor who previously complained about the university’s alleged anti-Semitism says the entire place is run by a faculty of “far-left, Marxist lunatics.”
The comments come after a shocking opening speech on May 12 by Palestinian law graduate Fatima Mousa Mohammed who accused Israelis of “settler colonialism” and called for “anger” to take on the “fascist NYPD.”
It was the second year in a row that the school — one of the largest in New York City, which receives more than half of its funding from the government — allowed such pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel remarks at its graduation ceremony.
The speaker in 2022 was activist Nerdeen Kiswani, who made similar excited comments.
CUNY’s Board of Trustees finally denounced the speech in a statement today following growing calls for the school to lose its funding.
It remains to be explained why the comments were approved in the first place.
‘Freedom of expression is precious, but often messy, and essential to the foundation of higher education. However, hate speech should not be confused with freedom of speech and has no place on our campuses or in our city, state or country.
Fatima Mousa Mohammed was chosen by her classmates as the 2023 kick-off speaker at CUNY Law’s graduation ceremony on May 12. Her remarks about Israel, Palestine, the NYPD and the armed forces caused an uproar
The CUNY Board of Trustees today denounced the comments as hate speech following angry backlash
“The comments made by a student-selected speaker at the CUNY Law School graduation unfortunately fall into the category of hate speech, as they were a public expression of hatred against people and communities based on their religion, race or political beliefs.
The City University of New York Board of Trustees condemns such hate speech.
Professor Jeffrey Lax, who has taught at CUNY for the past 20 years, told DailyMail.com in an interview that the whole school was run by ‘leftist lunatics’ and someone had to have approved the comments
“This speech is particularly unacceptable at a ceremony celebrating the achievements of a wide variety of graduates, and offensive to the entire CUNY community, which is founded on the principle of equal access and opportunity,” the board said.
Professor Jeffrey Lax, who has taught at CUNY for the past 20 years, told DailyMail.com in an interview that the entire school was run by “left-wing lunatics” and someone had to have approved the comments.
‘I have never heard that a launch speech is not judged [by staff].
“Of course you have to look at it, whether or not you think the student may be something incendiary, you have to look at it first.”
He has complained about anti-Semitism in the past and says students have also confided in him that they fear alienation or even retaliation if they don’t follow hardcore, left-wing political ideology.
‘The teachers are all crazy. The incredible far left pushing for the end of America,” said Professor Lax.
CUNY’s 2023 Operating Budget Request revealed the university will receive $2.8 billion from the three levels of government
He blames much of what he calls anti-Semitic rhetoric on The Professional Staff Congress or (PSC CUNY), the teachers’ union of which many faculties are members.
“The union is a Marxist organization and Marx was not just a communist… he was anti-Judaism.
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez
“Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between what he said and what Hitler said.”
Professor Lax has complained about anti-Semitism in the past, particularly against the school’s acceptance of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement – something Fatima praised her for in her remarks.
The movement “is committed to ending international support for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and to pressuring Israel to abide by international law.”
CUNY Law endorsed it to great controversy last year.
SAFE CUNY, an organization that Lax is a part of, complained to state regulators and the school was under investigation earlier this year.
The outcome of that investigation is yet to be seen.
Professor Lax claims the past two years have been a ‘living hell’ for him, but he refuses to stop.
“I am the grandchild of Holocaust survivors…I feel a deep and profound obligation to fight against this. I’m not going to run away.
“I get complaints about this all the time, there are openly or outwardly Jewish kids who have come to see me, but it’s not just that.
“There are undoubtedly students who hide their position on politics,” he said.
CUNY has yet to respond to his criticism.
Outrage: Many are calling for CUNY to lose the billions it receives in funding