The wheels of government inquiries into the protests at the Auraria Campus in 2024 are turning, methodically.
The Colorado Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights met during a virtual meeting to discuss anti-Semitism on college campuses on July 16.
The committee consists of 10 members, including regional ADL director Susan Rona.
Committee Chair Alvina Earnhart said, “We are committed to ensuring that our institutions of higher learning are places where all students feel safe, respected, and free to fully participate in academic life.
“Our committee’s investigation into allegations of anti-Semitism at the Auraria Campus in Denver, which hosts the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Colorado Denver, is not only timely, but essential.
“We must distinguish between protected speech and conduct that violates civil rights, and we must hold our public institutions accountable when they fall short.
“This project reflects our deep commitment to safeguarding both civil rights and freedom of expression.
“We aim to bring forward the voices of those impacted, examine the role of campus policies and leadership, and offer thoughtful, actionable recommendations that uphold the core principles of equality, safety and constitutional freedoms.”
The Auraria campus became a flashpoint for anti-Israel protests in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre of Israel, with constant occupation by Students for a Democratic Society in front of the Golda Meir House and Museum.
As a result of the protests, the museum had to be closed temporarily.
In May, 2024 the protest groups built tents and occupied the lawn in front of Auraria’s Tivoli Student Union. At one point, the groups were told to disperse and were met by police presence, only for the group to return through the rest of the semester.
“While free speech is good, allowing rhetoric that conflicts with the safety and well being of Jewish students needs to be swiftly dealt with,” said Rabbi Yisroel Ort of Chabad at Auraria, who was not part of the virtual meeting.
“If an organization is in conflict with that, then the organization should be revoked from being an organization on campus.
“There should be an accountability, as in a financial, maybe even criminal accountability, as a result of these hearings.”
Brandon Rattiner, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council told the IJN:
“This speaks to the hard place our community is in. On one hand we need our schools and our leaders and our society to take anti-Semitism very seriously.”
“On the other hand, there are a lot of folks in the Jewish community who are very uncomfortable with the way the fight for anti-Semitism is being used to advance other political ends, like defunding higher education, which is something that is incredibly important to Jews.
“Where this ends up, I’m not totally sure. I just think it’s important that the process stays focused on our community.” says Rattiner, who was not included in the meeting.
The Colorado Advisory Committee will meet again on July 31, with a hearing scheduled for Aug. 20.
© IJN 2025
