A Palestinian American law student at the University of California, Berkeley has accused a professor of assaulting her during a backyard dinner held at the home of the school’s dean, Erwin Chemerinsky, and his wife, the law professor Catherine Fisk. A video of the incident shows Fisk grabbing a microphone away from the student, Malak Afaneh, as she attempted to speak out against Israel’s war on Gaza.
Malak Afaneh: “Where millions of Muslims around the world fast, not only from Israel’s sustenance” —
Catherine Fisk: “Leave. This is not your house.”
Malak Afaneh: “Fast not only from Israel’s sustenance.”
Dinner guest: “Why are you touching her?”
Catherine Fisk: “This is my house, and I want you to leave.”
Malak Afaneh: “Fast” —
Dinner guest: “Stop touching her.”
Malak Afaneh: “We have attorneys.”
Dinner guest: “Stop touching her.”
Malak Afaneh: “We get attorneys.”
Catherine Fisk: “Get her to leave my house.”
Dinner guest: “OK. You don’t have to get aggressive.”
Malak Afaneh: “Excuse me. Please don’t touch me.”
Catherine Fisk: “I’m not being aggressive. I’ve asked you to leave.”
Erwin Chemerinsky: “Please leave our house!”
Malak Afaneh: “Please don’t touch me.”
Erwin Chemerinsky: “You are guests at our house!”
Dinner guest: “That’s fine.”
Malak Afaneh: “This is our First Amendment right.”
Catherine Fisk: “Then leave.”
Malak Afaneh: “This is our First Amendment” —
Erwin Chemerinsky: “No!”
Malak Afaneh: “It is.”
Erwin Chemerinsky: “This is my house. The First Amendment doesn’t apply.”
Malak Afaneh: “The National Lawyers Guild…”