The fallout from the Cornell University gang rape allegations has prompted direct sanctions from the city of Ithaca, New York, where the university is located.
The Ithaca City Council passed a resolution on the 7th with a 9-1 vote, temporarily suspending new event permits for Cornell University, its affiliated co-ed fraternities, and general student organizations. The measure took effect immediately and will remain in place until November 5, with the council retaining the option to extend it monthly.
Consequently, the city has temporarily halted the issuance of new event-related permits for Cornell and its affiliates, including special events, parades, public square usage, and noise permits. However, these restrictions do not apply to constitutionally protected activities such as religious practices, freedom of expression, and petitioning.
The resolution also urges that major sex crimes occurring on the Cornell campus be investigated by the Ithaca Police Department rather than the university’s private campus police.
This action stems from a gang rape allegation that occurred in 2024 at the Cornell male fraternity ‘Chi Phi.’ The female victim, identified as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit last month claiming she was drugged and gang-raped by seven male students.
Jane Doe reported the incident to the Cornell University police about three weeks after it happened. Although the university police forwarded a summary of related statements to the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office, the office chose not to file charges.
Amid criticisms of a botched investigation, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor on the 1st to re-examine the case.
Protests continued on campus as well. On the 5th, over 1,000 students, faculty, and local residents held a rally condemning the school’s response. On the 7th, over 100 students staged a 7-hour sit-in at a campus dining hall.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the victim has recently been facing death threats and attempts to expose her identity.
According to a CNN report on the 8th, armed police were dispatched to the home where Jane Doe and her family were staying around 7 p.m. on the 6th. The dispatch was triggered by a false report claiming a man had shot and killed his mother and pointed a gun at his sister. Police reportedly pointed guns at Jane Doe’s younger brother, boyfriend, and father at the scene.
This incident is part of a wave of false reporting known as ‘swatting.’ The defense attorney told CNN that police are currently investigating the matter and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also reviewing the case.
Jane Doe’s attorney, Thomas Giuffra, told CNN that dozens of threats have followed the filing of the lawsuit last month. On the 7th, a threatening phone call was made to the attorney’s office demanding the withdrawal of the lawsuit, stating, “Otherwise, you’ll see blood.
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Giuffra stated, “Now someone is actually taking action to cause harm, and it’s a very frightening situation.”
