CHICAGO—Members of the Students for Justice in Palestine and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) held a news conference on April 7, announcing a discrimination complaint filed with the Illinois Department of Human Rights against DePaul University.
The news conference was held outside the Student Center located at the school in Chicago. In a news release, CAIR said the students “allegedly faced discriminatory repression based on their identity and anti-genocide advocacy.”
At least 100 supporters and students convened in solidarity, enduring cold temperatures, to express, in unison, their agreement with the discrimination complaint against the university and to demand that the university reinstate the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) organization.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is the largest nonprofit Muslim civil rights organization in America, and they are representing the students’ case pro bono.
DePaul University’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine was reprimanded or sanctioned in 2024 for allegedly posting “anti-Semitic” content on social media, leading to its suspension through 2027. DePaul is a Catholic university.
Christina Abraham, legal representative lead from CAIR, stated, “We are going to take every legal action that is necessary to hold DePaul University accountable. We are not going to stop until DePaul does the right thing and stops discriminating against Palestinian students.”
During suspension, the chapter is barred from campus operations, including hosting events on or off campus, using official social media, and securing funding.
Palestine Legal is an independent organization exclusively dedicated to supporting the movement for Palestinian rights. The organization consists of attorneys based in major cities while providing legal representation throughout the United States.
The organization, in support of the students, sent a letter to DePaul University’s President, Robert L. Manuel, stating in part, “The ongoing investigation of SJP for their Instagram post on Israel’s theft of Palestinian organs is discriminatory.
On May 2, 2025, the Dean of Students Office sent a letter to SJP regarding a social media post entitled, ‘ISRAEL: THE WORLD’S LARGEST SKIN BANK.’
This social media post by SJP was aimed at bringing attention to the research concerning the Israeli government’s systematic theft of Palestinian organs, including skin, for the purpose of using them for medical procedures in Israel.
Nowhere in the post did SJP target anyone on the basis of a protected identity—instead the post expressed criticism of Israeli policies that harm Palestinians.”
Media reports on the claims made in the SJP social media post have been published. In 2009 the UK-based The Guardian in the article, “Doctor admits Israeli pathologists harvested organs without consent,” reported that Dr. Yehuda Hiss.
The former director of Israel’s Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, admitted in a 2000 interview that, during the 1990s, he and his team harvested organs such as corneas, skin, heart valves, and bones from deceased individuals without obtaining consent from their families.
Similar stories have been widely reported in various outlets, including a statement issued by the International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
A non-governmental organization to the United Nations in 2010, which raised concerns about organ theft and sought sanctions on Israel for “violation of its obligations” under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The Palestinian students at DePaul also allege that the school has been slow to respond to complaints of harassment from other students against Palestinian, Arab, Muslim and students associated with them who have engaged in Palestine solidarity activism.
There are some reports that students have filed complaints with the university as many as three times and received little to no follow-up from the administration.
Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church attended the news conference to show support for the students. DePaul is a Catholic school. “Live up to your Vincentian mission or take the name ‘Vincentian’ and take the name ‘Catholic’ off your identity,” he said.
According to aspects of Catholicism, key aspects of that mission are advocating for people who live in marginalization, poverty, “inspired by the charism of St. Vincent de Paul.”
“The university should be encouraging free speech and the right to stand up in this country is for everyone. As a Catholic priest, I’m ashamed at the actions of DePaul,” stated Father Pfleger to The Final Call.
“We have filed discrimination complaints with the Illinois Department of Human Rights. It is why we are committed to pushing for transparency, accountability and justice. Because this moment is more than one campus,” said Estrella Vazquez, district director for Illinois State Representative Lilian Jimenez.
Abdulrahman Akhras is a Palestinian student and the former president of the SJP chapter. “Injustice at DePaul University is a threat to justice at every university around the globe.
I have lived experiences of being discriminated against for my identity, targeted for siding with justice and aiding the oppressed, and silenced for speaking my truth,” he said.
Another student, Tesamy Abulaban, stated, “I am someone who has experienced discrimination in a place that was promised to be a home for learning, growth, and opportunity. When Palestinian students speak, organize, or advocate, we are not met with dignity; we are met with surveillance, discipline, and silence.”
Other speakers at the news conference included U.S. Representative Delia Ramirez of Illinois’ 3rd District and Rabbi Brant Rosen, who has voiced his support for Palestine.
After the press conference, protesters chanted, “Free Palestine!” while marching around several blocks of the university, escorted by Chicago police.
(Shawntell Muhammad can be contacted at [email protected].)