Medical Student Sues Emory University for Discrimination Over Suspension

Atlanta, Georgia – Umaymah Mohammad, a dual MD/Ph.D. student, has filed a federal lawsuit against Emory University alleging discrimination during her suspension from medical school. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, accuses the university of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and other state laws due to intentional discrimination and retaliation stemming from remarks Mohammad made during a television interview last year.

The Council on Islamic-American Relations in Georgia (CAIR-GA) represents Mohammad in this case. The lawsuit highlights alleged procedural irregularities in the school’s disciplinary process, noting that Emory used tactics such as pressuring Mohammed to admit guilt and disregarding established institutional policies during her hearing in November 2024.

“This case has potential repercussions for how student activists have been treated on campuses across the country,” said Azka Mahmood, executive director of CAIR-GA. Keon Grant, an attorney representing Mohammad, added that the outcome could significantly impact future disciplinary proceedings concerning protected speech.

Mohammad’s comments on campus climate for protesters included criticisms of an unnamed Emory medical school professor who previously volunteered as a medic in the Israeli military. The lawsuit asserts that her suspension was not only a severe penalty but also an unjust response given that her speech was defended by Emory’s own committee on free expression.

The complaint further claims that the university’s treatment violated its own policies and neglected the principles outlined in the settlement reached with the Department of Education last year, which addressed issues surrounding a hostile environment for Palestinian and Arab students.

According to the suit, Emory suspended Mohammad for one year for allegedly violating the standards of professionalism expected in the medical field, a decision that now pushes her graduation to 2029. Mohammad’s appeal against the suspension was denied.

The lawsuit seeks damages amounting to approximately $300,000 to address lost income and other harm caused by the suspension. It sheds light on what CAIR-GA describes as a trend of disciplinary action against student activists who speak out on contentious issues.

“Punishing students who express dissent on matters such as the Gaza crisis reflects a failure in moral judgment,” Mohammad stated, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability in her case and for other affected students.