Prof Canned after Muslim Debate Sues University · 15 June 2005
By Ron Strom--WorldNetDaily.com--06/15/05
Teacher says DePaul characterized his words as bigoted against Islam
A DePaul professor who was suspended after having a spirited discussion about the Middle East with Muslim students sued the university and two of its officials for defamation yesterday.
Professor Thomas Klocek alleges the administrators wrongly characterized his arguments as racist and bigoted. He seeks damages against the school for maligning his "integrity and professional competence."
Last September, Klocek attended a Student Activities Fair on the Chicago campus and happened to visit the table of the Students for Justice in Palestine, a statement announcing the lawsuit stated.
After the professor took a handout that showed an Israeli bulldozer destroying a Palestinian house, he began discussing the Middle East with the students manning the table.
Klocek says one of the students likened the Israeli treatment of the Palestinians to Hitler's treatment of the Jewish people - a statement to which he took offense. The professor challenged the students by quoting an Arab source concluding that although most Muslims are not terrorists, most of today's terrorists are Muslims.
The student group subsequently filed a complaint against Klocek with Dr. Susanne Dumbleton, dean of the School for New Learning, resulting in his suspension with pay. The dean took action without the normally required hearing.
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