NY Gov. Kathy Hochul threatens legal action against universities that fail to combat antisemitism

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned all state colleges and universities that failing to crack down on antisemitism on their campus is a violation of the state’s Human Rights Law and will result in "aggressive enforcement action."

Hochul wrote a letter to the presidents of colleges and universities across the state, with a message that calls for genocide made on campuses violate the New York State Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The letter came as Hochul, like many Americans, saw presidents of several universities fail to denounce antisemitism and calls for genocide of Jewish people on their college campuses.

Hochul said she contacted State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John King to make sure that calling for the genocide of any group of people on any of its 62 campuses is a violation of the code of conduct, which it is.

Hochul said King affirmed that SUNY does not tolerate antisemitism or hatred of any kind and learned from City University of New York (CUNY) Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez the same is true for CUNY schools.

Hochul told the university presidents that by not addressing antisemitic activity on campuses, the schools are in violation of the State Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Act of 1964. She also said schools that receive federal funds are responsible for keeping students free from a hostile environment based on their ethnicity or national origin.