Judge rules against temporary restraining order in Northwestern bias training class-action

A judge ruled against a temporary restraining order sought by Northwestern University graduate students who allege the University’s mandatory bias training is discriminatory. Judge Georgia Alexakis stated the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on their claims and therefore did not meet the threshold for a restraining order. The lawsuit, filed by NU Graduate Workers for Palestine and two graduate students, alleges unequal application of conduct policies, suppression of “Palestine solidarity speech,” and a flawed definition of antisemitism based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition.

The University argued the students created the urgency by delaying the lawsuit, while the plaintiffs contended the deadlines for completing the training were inconsistently communicated. The judge noted students only need to play the training video, not endorse its content. Sixteen students have not completed the training, facing potential discontinuation of student status.

The judge found the plaintiffs had established irreparable harm but failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits of their claims, particularly regarding a Title VI violation. The plaintiffs intend to pursue preliminary injunctive relief and begin discovery, with the next hearing scheduled for December 2nd.

(Source：The Daily Northwestern)