Two Columbia University maintenance workers who claimed they were assaulted, held against their will, and forced to scrub swastikas during a violent anti-Israel protest have reached a settlement with the Ivy League institution, according to the New York Post.
Lester Wilson and Mario Torres, both longtime university employees, settled with Columbia for an undisclosed amount just days after the school agreed to a separate $220 million settlement with the Trump administration over civil rights violations and racially discriminatory practices that threatened its federal funding.
Of that larger settlement, $200 million addressed systemic discrimination claims, while an additional $20 million was allocated to employees—like Wilson and Torres—who alleged civil rights abuses on campus. Their original complaint, filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), helped trigger a federal civil rights investigation into the university.
Allegations of Assault and Hostage Situation
The two workers are continuing to pursue a separate lawsuit against 40 protesters accused of violently occupying Hamilton Hall on April 29, 2024. According to court filings, Wilson and Torres say they were terrorized throughout the night as the building was overtaken and renamed “Hinds Hall” by protesters.
The suit alleges the men were physically assaulted and subjected to anti-Semitic slurs, including being called “Jew-lover,” “Jew-worker,” and “Zionist,” after attempting to prevent the protesters from taking over the building.
“They were shoved, had furniture pushed into them, and were held against their will into the early morning,” the complaint states. Torres reportedly had to use a fire extinguisher in self-defense and was later struck in the back, while Wilson was physically forced back by a group that blocked his exit.
One rioter allegedly threatened Torres, saying, “I’m going to get twenty guys up here to f— you up.”
Both men say they sustained physical injuries and are suffering from PTSD as a result of the ordeal. They have since returned to work, according to a source cited by the Post. The NYPD eventually cleared the building and arrested over 100 individuals connected to the protest.
Frustration with Columbia’s Response
The lawsuit also highlights the period leading up to the riot, during which Torres was tasked with removing swastikas and other offensive graffiti from campus. According to his complaint, he became so disheartened by the university’s lack of response that he began throwing away chalk left in classrooms to prevent further vandalism.
The pair are being represented by Torridon Law, a firm founded by former U.S. Attorney General William Barr. Fox News Digital has reached out to Columbia University and Torridon Law for comment.
This case adds to the growing scrutiny Columbia is facing over its handling of campus protests and rising concerns about anti-Semitism and safety for employees and students alike.
