WASHINGTON, D.C. (WENY) -- Congressman Marc Molinaro spoke on the House floor yesterday and condemned what he called antisemitism on college campuses, including the demonstrations at Cornell University in New York's 19th congressional district. 

This comes as Cornell suspended two more pro-Palestinian students according to the Coalition for Mutual Liberation, in addition to the four previous temporary suspensions of undergraduate and graduate students.  

One student was evicted yesterday, losing key-card access to his on-campus housing.  

The congressman went on to say he would be voting in favor of the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act the house passed on May 1 and now making its’ way to the Senate.  

The bill expands on the definition of antisemitism in agreement with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. The measure is facing criticism from those who oppose it saying it will threaten freedom of speech.  

“They harass students, Jewish students who are innocently attempting to study. I know it, I've seen it firsthand as I've visited students at Cornell and Binghamton in Upstate New York,” said congressman Molinaro “These students who think that they're simply extending their freedom of speech without understanding the hate, the ignorance, the violence that is emboldened by it, and they're wrong to feel entitled that they can simply occupy buildings and public spaces and damage public property, they are wrong.”  

Momodou Taal, an international student from Cornell who was pursuing his PhD in Africana studies, wrote on X that he has until noon today to decide taking an incomplete for the Spring semester, adding quote “the university has decided to dangle my visa status and ability to stay in the country in exchange for my silence." 

If Taal decides to move forward with an incomplete for the semester, he will not be allowed to engage in the campus protest.  

 

Molinaro went on to explain that Congress should not only commit to defining the meaning of antisemitism, but to be clearer that “this is wrong.”  

On April 29, President Martha Pollack released in a statement saying “we have tried to engage thoughtfully with the participants, and will try to continue to do so. But we need to soon get to a resolution that respects our policies, promotes the public health and safety of the community, and preserves the rights of all to do their work.”