AhlulBayt News Agency: Muslim students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) have reported harassment by a teaching assistant following an event highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The incident, captured on video and widely shared online, has sparked concerns over Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian sentiment on campus.
The video, posted by Lincoln for Palestine, shows Roland Hesse confronting students after an event organized by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). The event featured Wilhelmi Massay, a pediatric nurse from Omaha who has visited Gaza twice since October 2023, sharing firsthand accounts of the humanitarian crisis.
In the footage, Hesse makes inflammatory comments, calling the students "beyond demonic" and insulting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He also accuses the students of placing anti-Israel stickers near his residence, a claim denied by both the students and SJP, which clarified it does not distribute such materials.
Witnesses reported Hesse’s inappropriate behavior during the event, particularly when Massay recounted a tragic bombing in a mosque. Following the video's release, SJP issued an anonymous statement from the students involved, expressing fears of Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism. "As Muslims wearing hijab, it is frightening to walk on campus knowing the violent perceptions others may hold," the statement read.
UNL’s Physics and Astronomy Department declined to comment but confirmed that the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance is investigating the matter. UNL spokesperson Leslie Reed stated that the university is addressing the issue under its nondiscrimination policies and providing support to affected students.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called on UNL to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the safety of all students on campus.
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