PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Joseph Borgen, Member of the Public
4:38:24
·
130 sec
Joseph Borgen, a victim of antisemitic assault, testifies about the need for accountability in addressing antisemitism at CUNY. He criticizes the Lippman report's approach and CUNY's handling of discrimination complaints, particularly questioning the appointment of the chief diversity officer.
- Borgen calls for a clear definition of antisemitism and anti-Zionism in CUNY's policies
- He questions why CUNY is allowed to determine its own changes in response to the Lippman report
- Borgen criticizes the City Council for not taking more action, including on a potential mask ban and holding CUNY accountable for protest-related damages
Joseph Borgen
4:38:24
My name is Joseph, Borgen.
4:38:26
And a little background on myself, I have very intimate knowledge of antisemitism and anti Zionism and the connection between the two.
4:38:33
In May 2021, I was getting assaulted in Times Square by a group of pro Palestinian sympathizers, pro Arab protesters, who proceeded to beat me with an inch beat me with an inch of my life.
4:38:44
And to get accountability in that situation, it kind of harkens back to the situation here I see with CUNY.
4:38:51
Because without a the lack without any accountability and without any consequences being doled out to those who are engaged in the wrongdoing, nothing will change.
4:38:58
And as it relates to Littmann report, one thing I'll I'm trying to be very quick.
4:39:02
I think a a flaw was the the failure to properly define discrimination as it relates to antisemitism and anti Zionism.
4:39:09
We need to have that on the books.
4:39:10
Without anything on the books, we cannot enforce any sort of wrongdoing.
4:39:14
We also, Littmann Report puts the onus on the college to self, you know, self change itself.
4:39:20
Do we give criminals the right to determine their own sentence?
4:39:23
Why are we giving CUNY the ability to decide their own changes that they need to make internally?
4:39:27
Why are we enabling them and putting the to trust in them?
4:39:30
And I'd like to point out that Sally Abda'allah, the CUNY chief diversity officer, this is an individual who's a civil rights director director for the for the CAR, the Council of American Islamic Relations.
4:39:40
She's a BDS activist.
4:39:42
Are you guys telling me that a Jewish student, when they file their complaint, it's making their way to this individual, a BDS activist, an anti Semite?
4:39:48
How how how can this be?
4:39:50
And this was someone who was appointed by chief Matos?
4:39:52
Why?
4:39:53
Can someone explain to me why this individual who hates Jews is allowed to rule on what's going on with Jews?
4:39:59
And I'll say this also.
4:40:01
We talked a lot about the mask ban here on campus.
4:40:04
I know Una Vernicoff brought a sponsored a bill for a mask ban.
4:40:06
Where is that at city council?
4:40:08
You know, I don't understand why you guys are trying to be putting the blame on on on CUNY for not having a mask ban.
4:40:14
What are you guys doing?
4:40:14
What's city council doing?
4:40:15
What have you done since October 7th to to affect change in the situation?
4:40:19
You know, Eric Dinowitz, councilman member Dinowitz, you mentioned the $3,000,000 of damage.
4:40:23
If they're not doing anything about it, what about what about you guys?
4:40:26
Are we paying for that?
4:40:27
Are we paying for the extra security?
4:40:28
Are we paying for the extra police?
4:40:30
Why don't you guys step up and hold them accountable if CUNY won't?
4:40:32
That's just my 2ยข on the situation.
