NJ Student Sues Over Professor Calling Him ‘Racist’ for Trump Flag
A New Jersey student is suing his professor after being called a ‘racist’ for displaying a Trump flag in his home during an online class.
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A New Jersey student has filed a lawsuit against his former professor and college after being called a ‘racist’ for displaying a Trump flag in his home during an online class. Justin Caiazzo, 29, of Lake Hiawatha, alleges his First Amendment rights were violated when Professor Gladys Harris at Passaic County Community College terminated his class session in July 2021 after noticing the flag in his background.
Class Disruption and Alleged Racist Label
According to the lawsuit, Harris stopped the session and demanded that Caiazzo remove the flag immediately, threatening to halt the class until he complied. Caiazzo claims he did not discuss politics in class and was confused by the professor’s reaction. When he asked what was wrong with the flag, Harris called it ‘offensive’ and labeled him a ‘racist’ in front of other students, eventually removing him from the Zoom call and barring him from participating in subsequent classes.
College’s Response and Legal Action
After Caiazzo attempted to seek clarification on the incident, Harris directed him to ‘tutor.com’ for help and refused to address the situation. Caiazzo reported the professor’s behavior to school officials, including Dean Peter Hynes, but the college opened a review and sided with Harris, blaming Caiazzo for his political expression. The lawsuit claims the college did not offer meaningful relief, such as a transfer or a no-credit grade, leading Caiazzo to withdraw from the course at his own expense.
Legal Claims and Ongoing Dispute
Caiazzo is seeking unspecified damages for educational harm, emotional distress, and humiliation. His lawyer, Marc Calello, stated that the student was wronged on multiple levels and that colleges meant to foster debate are instead censoring certain views. Caiazzo later completed the same course at William Paterson University with a grade of 88, but the college has refused to issue his associate’s degree despite meeting the requirements.
Background and Context
The college and the involved officials did not respond to requests for comment. A school spokeswoman told NJ.com that the institution does not comment on ongoing litigation. The case highlights ongoing tensions over free speech and academic freedom in higher education, with Caiazzo’s legal team arguing that the incident represents a broader issue of viewpoint discrimination in educational settings.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
