Ohio: Law Student Faces Threats After Expressing Support for Palestine

IQNA – A Palestinian student of law at University of Toledo says she has received a threatening note after showing support for Palestine.

The student, who prefers to remain anonymous, reported receiving a threatening note on November 29 while on campus. The Palestinian student believes the note was a response to her expression of support for Palestine through the wearing of a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf.

According to the student, the note, found on her car windshield, read, "keep wearing those d--- scarves all of you." This incident marked the third in a series of unsettling events related to her support for Palestine. Previously, someone had forcibly removed a Palestinian flag from her car door off-campus, and supportive messages were erased from her vehicle in front of the UToledo Law Center, 13 Action News reported on Monday.

In response to the threatening note, the student reached out to university administration to share her experience and raise awareness about potential challenges faced by other students. She stated, "I’m bringing this to your attention so that you guys are aware of what your students could potentially be facing, and you guys can be there for them."

Dean Cindy Kirby, the assistant dean for student affairs at UToledo’s College of Law, filed a report with the UToledo police, who initiated an investigation.

The university, in a statement, affirmed its commitment to a safe and inclusive campus environment, urging everyone to report concerns for proper investigation.

Expressing her concerns, the student emphasized the unsettling nature of the incident, stating, "It has to be someone who knows who I am and what car I drive and where I was going."

Despite meeting with UToledo administration, she hopes for more concrete actions to ensure students' safety on campus.

The university's statement acknowledged the police report, highlighting the commitment to a safe campus and encouraging reporting of any concerns. The student, however, expressed a desire for more proactive measures from the university.

Amid rising Islamophobia, the student, recognizing the seriousness of the situation, is preparing to file a police report with the Toledo Police Department to document the incident.

Despite the threats, she remains steadfast in her support for Palestine, stating, "It has not deterred me one bit."

Source: Agencies