A professor at UCSF, Rupa Marya, has filed a lawsuit claiming her freedom of speech was violated after the university suspended her for social media posts regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza. Marya stated her posts expressed solidarity with healthcare workers in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict, which has reportedly resulted in over 52,000 deaths since October 7, 2023. The lawsuit highlights that Marya felt compelled to speak out on her X account and argues that her suspension is an infringement on her rights.
Attorney Mark Kleiman emphasized the broader implications of the case, asserting that silencing Marya threatens everyone’s ability to advocate for justice. After being suspended and labeled a “possible imminent danger” by UCSF, her clinical privileges were briefly reinstated. Marya faced backlash, including receiving threats due to her posts.
Prior to her suspension, UCSF had already communicated concerns over her social media activity, including an email from the school’s dean indicating an assessment of her posts in relation to university policies. In January 2024, UCSF issued a statement addressing a viral thread by Marya, indirectly labeling her comments as promoting a “racist” and “antisemitic” conspiracy theory.
The lawsuit argues that Marya’s comments were targeted at state policies, not any specific ethnic or religious groups. As a physician of South Asian descent and a member of the Sikh faith, Marya has long been engaged in discussions surrounding American foreign policy and healthcare. UCSF refrained from commenting on the lawsuit due to privacy laws. Marya, an experienced medical professional, had previously focused on patient care, and was appointed to a California commission for universal healthcare in 2021.
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