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Columbia Faces Criticism Over Gabrielle Wimer's Graduation as Lawsuits Target UCLA, UT Austin, and Defamation of Dr. Josh Winer

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Published May 7, 2025, 12:16 AM

Columbia University medical students have accused the university of a double standard after Gabrielle Wimer, previously suspended following her arrest for storming Barnard College's Milstein Library in March, was allowed to return to campus and is on track to graduate later this month. Wimer was one of four students arrested and suspended after the incident, which involved the hoisting of an effigy and distribution of Hamas-related materials. Classmates allege her suspension was just a paid vacation and did not prevent her from attending the required 'Ready 4 Residency' course, despite exceeding the number of permitted absences. Wimer is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning on charges including disorderly conduct, trespassing, and obstructing governmental administration. She is represented by attorney Leena Mohmoud Widdi, a prominent anti-Israel activist, and is set to join the Highland Emergency Medicine Residency Program after graduation.

Columbia's response has drawn criticism from students who argue it undermines the integrity of the medical profession. The university had previously pledged to enforce stricter disciplinary policies as part of efforts to restore over $430 million in federal funding withdrawn by the Trump administration.

Separately, Dr. Josh Winer, a Jewish surgeon and professor at Emory University, has filed a defamation lawsuit against several anti-Israel groups and individuals, including Emory medical student Umaymah Mohammad. The suit alleges that Mohammad and organizations such as CAIR and National Students for Justice in Palestine made false statements accusing Winer of war crimes and genocide for his voluntary service as a doctor in the Israeli Defense Forces after October 7, 2023. Mohammad was suspended from Emory for one year in November 2024 as a result of her statements. Winer claims the defamatory statements have caused professional harm and personal threats, and his attorney, Esther Panitch, said, "These groups make concerted efforts to defame people who are Zionists and they make no secret that they don’t think Zionists should be able to live our lives and do our jobs."

Additionally, lawsuits have been filed by students at UCLA and the University of Texas at Austin against law enforcement agencies and school officials, alleging excessive force and violations of free speech rights during the clearing of pro-Palestinian encampments in 2024. At UCLA, plaintiffs claim they were subjected to rubber bullets and batons during the dismantling of the encampment, resulting in serious injuries. California law prohibits police from using rubber bullets except in extraordinary circumstances. At UT Austin, students allege trauma and injuries from police tactics used to remove their Gaza camp, with representation by the Muslim Legal Fund of America and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. Sixty arrests were made during the UT Austin protest, and 209 arrests at UCLA.

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StopAntisemitism

@StopAntisemites

Hospitalist Osamah Abdallah poses as a “humanitarian” while spewing antisemitism - comparing Zionists to ISIS, calling Jews “whisperings of the devil,” and glorifying suicide for Palestine. Why won’t @Aurora_Health act? ACT NOW: https://t.co/ubqk2h84Ow https://t.co/eSOZy2zLZ5

The Post Millennial

@TPostMillennial

University of Texas students sue school, governor over "trauma" from "violent police tactics" when Gaza camp was shut down https://t.co/WUtJ0yvLma

The Free Press

@TheFP

Supporters of the pro-Palestinian student organizer at Columbia say he is a blameless victim. Police reports, social media posts, and court filings tell a more complicated story. https://t.co/zsiGj0Uwv8

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Columbia Faces Criticism Over Gabrielle Wimer's Graduation as Lawsuits Target UCLA, UT Austin, and Defamation of Dr. Josh Winer

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