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Palestinian American Law Student Protests Backyard Dinner Hosted by UC Berkeley Law School Dean

HeadlineApr 11, 2024

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…”

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