Cornell Students Stage Sit-In Over Alleged Fraternity Gang Rape, Demand Justice for Jane Doe
ITHACA, New York (AP) — Cornell University students staged a sit-in at a campus dining hall on Wednesday, vowing not to spend money on campus to protest sexual violence and the university’s handling of complaints. The demonstration is the latest expression of outrage over an alleged 2024 gang rape at a fraternity house. A handwritten sign reading “Justice for Jane Doe” — the pseudonym under which the accuser is suing — was propped on an empty table in the dining hall. Some students sat around the room without eating, while others lunched, in a silent but powerful statement.
The protest comes after a string of demonstrations by Cornell students critical of the school’s handling of sexual assault cases. The alleged assault occurred at the Chi Phi fraternity chapter at Cornell, which was closed in 2024 following the allegations and remains barred from campus. According to reports, the remaining men involved were handed lighter punishments, fueling further anger. The accused athlete has maintained his innocence. Organizers say the turnout for Monday’s protest was significant in the context of three years of campus repression of student activism, according to Huber, a key organizer.
Beyond Ithaca, major events are also planned in Philadelphia; Los Angeles; Seattle; Baltimore; Boston and Lexington, Massachusetts; Syracuse, New York; Orlando; Huntsville, Alabama; and Anchorage, Alaska. One protester described the current moment as a ‘tipping point’ for the movement. The actions underscore growing national attention to how universities handle sexual assault complaints and the treatment of survivors.
As the sit-in continued, students made clear their demand for accountability and systemic change. The protest reflects a broader reckoning on college campuses, where survivors and allies are increasingly unwilling to accept what they see as inadequate responses from administrators. With the lawsuit ongoing and the fraternity permanently banned, Cornell faces mounting pressure to address the concerns raised by its student body. The university has not yet issued a new statement regarding the latest protest.
Shimanta Das 
