Jewish Ex-Staffer Says Campus Pro-Palestinian Chaos Threatened Her Safety

A Jewish employee at Pomona College has filed a lawsuit against the Southern California institution, claiming she was forced to resign after the campus became hostile and unsafe during pro-Palestine demonstrations that swept American universities in 2024.

Melody DiDonato, who worked in the college’s IT department, submitted her complaint to the Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging that relentless protests and administrative inaction created an environment so threatening she could no longer perform her duties, according to New York Post.

DiDonato is demanding at least one million dollars in damages for what she describes as discrimination, harassment, and a hostile work environment that ultimately drove her from her position in May 2025.

Campus Overtaken by Demonstrations

Throughout 2024, Pomona College became a flashpoint for anti-Israel activism as protesters angry about the Gaza conflict occupied multiple campus locations. Demonstrators seized control of a commencement stage and even stormed the president’s office, actions that DiDonato’s legal team argues the administration failed to stop.

The lawsuit details how DiDonato was subjected to months of antisemitic graffiti and shattered glass scattered across campus grounds. Her attorney David Tashroudian stated that the protests prevented his client from having free access to her community and subjected her to unlawful discriminatory and harassing conduct.

Workplace Hostility Alleged

Beyond the campus-wide turmoil, DiDonato claims her supervisor made remarks targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that left her feeling singled out as a Jewish-American. The alleged message carried the subject line “Welcome to an Apartheid State,” further compounding her distress.

In May 2024, DiDonato reached out to human resources about her deteriorating mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from what she characterized as violent protesting and pervasive antisemitism. The lawsuit alleges the HR department made no meaningful effort to address her concerns or provide relief.

College Accused of Enabling Protesters

DiDonato’s complaint accuses Pomona College of bending over backward to accommodate the demonstrators rather than protecting employees and maintaining order. The administration allegedly refused to clear encampments or request additional police presence, even after protesters occupied the president’s office.

The takeover of administrative buildings left DiDonato fearing she would encounter violent protesters during her workday, making her feel threatened and unsafe on campus property.

Medical Leave and Forced Departure

The emotional toll forced DiDonato onto medical leave in June 2024. The lawsuit contends she was ultimately pushed out of her position the following year because her psychological distress made it impossible to continue working in the campus environment.

Tashroudian expressed hope the legal action will make the campus safer for all students and faculty members going forward.

College Denies Allegations

Pomona College responded to the lawsuit by vigorously denying the allegations and vowing to defend its position in court. The institution told the Daily Mail that all forms of discrimination and harassment, including antisemitism, run counter to its core values and have no place on campus.

The case remains ongoing in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

With information from New York Post