Columbia University has agreed to pay an undisclosed amount to two janitors who faced harassment and violence during protests on campus. Lester Wilson and Mario Torres were caught in a tense situation at Hamilton Hall after the October 7th attacks in Israel sparked widespread demonstrations. During these protests, they were verbally abused, physically assaulted, and even held against their will by protesters.
Wilson and Torres filed a civil rights complaint against the university after their harrowing experience. They were trapped inside Hamilton Hall with a group of demonstrators who targeted them with threats and violence. Protesters reportedly called them “Jew lovers” and made other aggressive remarks.
Alyza Lewin, president of the Brandeis Center, commented on the case, stating that the university’s actions contributed to the dangerous situation the janitors found themselves in. She emphasized the need to hold accountable those responsible for the assault and the takeover of the building.
Recently, former President Donald Trump announced that Columbia would pay a $220 million penalty to the federal government, which includes $20 million set aside for Jewish employees who faced harassment during the protests. Although Wilson and Torres are not Jewish, they are expected to receive part of this settlement due to their experiences.
Both janitors had worked at Columbia for five years but have been unable to return to work since the protests. They reported injuries sustained during the unrest. In their complaint, Torres recounted a threatening encounter with a masked protester who warned him about an impending attack. He said he prepared to defend himself with a fire extinguisher but was ultimately beaten before he could escape.
Wilson also faced violence, being attacked with furniture during the chaos. Both men had previously reported seeing swastikas and other graffiti in Hamilton Hall, which they found disturbing. Wilson, who is African American, described the swastikas as symbols of white supremacy and expressed his distress over their presence. He attempted to remove the graffiti, but it kept reappearing.
This situation highlights the challenges faced by employees during times of social unrest and raises important questions about safety and accountability on university campuses.
