ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) -- On Monday, Oct. 30th, Patrick Dai, a student at Cornell University was arrested after the FBI traced antisemitic posts linked to him that were on “Greek Rank” -- a site where Greek organizations are ranked, reviewed, and rated anonymously.  

Campus life has been on edge as Momodou Taal, a PhD student in African studies describes since the recent hate comments.  

“I think like most people on campus we’re absolutely shocked and appalled and immediately our coalition went out and condemned those statements and we didn't know where they came from in the initial stage.” 

Taal is a member of Cornell's Coalition of Mutual Liberation, a group made up of multiple campus groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine, Cornell Muslim life, and Black students. On Monday, the organization released a statement on Instagram denouncing the derogatory comments made towards the Jewish community on campus.  

 “I know now things have developed and now we understand that Patrick Dai is not a part of any of our organizations. We've never seen him at any of our rallies and at the same time, we obviously supported what was going on in terms of the university side in investigating.”  

Taal says the main goal of their organization is to combat racism and unite regardless of cultural differences.  

“Our organizations do not stand for any form of racism and a proof of that is by bringing Indigenous people, Black people, white groups as well. Anyone on campus can be a part of this coalition for mutual liberation. Realizing that our connections, our struggles and oppressions are connected.” 

A day after the antisemitic posts were made from Dai, Muslim students on campus were also targeted on the platform. One post, who published under the name "DeathtoPalestine" called for every "[social justice warrior] who cares about those animals go there and get bombed too.”  

Taal explains the comments were “somewhat ignored” adding the comments did not become “any major news story” for his targeted Muslim peers.  

“We were a bit dismayed because we realized there was also Islamophobic comments mentioned on the same page, about AK 47s, about doing violence to women who wear hijab, and that wasn't mentioned by the administration at all. So, we're a bit upset about that. All we were asking for was equal treatment.” 

There have not been any reports released of who was behind the anonymous post. However, there's been a polarization on campus between both groups. 

In a recent Pro-Palestine rally on Oct. 18th, students were heard chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” in wake of the Israeli airstrikes that has taken the lives of many Palestinian civilians.  

According to the American Jewish Committee, the phrase can be considered antisemitic as it calls for the erasure of the State of Israel and its people. But Taal says the definition has been misconstrued and does not accurately represent the student movement.  

“I would implore everyone to look at the map of Palestine and Israel and what we say by from the river to the sea, we mean that Palestinians and everyone in that region is free from oppression. It's free from settler colonial violence. I think it's a bit of a ruse and it's upsetting that that's become a distraction because it doesn't mean Jewish extermination” adding “the U.N. says that the West Bank is occupied. So yes, we do want a river to the sea. We would like to see Palestinians and Jewish folk and Christians and whoever in that region live Free from oppression and settler colonial violence.” 

In a recent statement after meeting with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, University President Martha Pollack shared "We will not tolerate antisemitism at Cornell; indeed, we will not tolerate hatred of any form, including racism or Islamophobia." 

With increased security on campus, fear is still lingering among students with a heightened sense of nervousness.  

“All groups are on edge because again, we saw Islamophobic death threats, we saw antisemitic death threats, and no one wants to see FBI on campus. No one wants to see police on campus, especially when they're armed.”  

Taal says there must be an equal acknowledgement from the university administration of all student body.  

“We're just calling for equal treatment. We don't want specialized treatment. We don't want to make our concerns raised over any other group's concern. We're just asking for equal treatment.” 

Cornell University has cancelled classes for the stress the campus has been under for “Community Day” today. University faculty and staff will also be excused, except for employees deemed essential.