Social justice law professor defends anti-Israel protesters who blocked traffic to Chicago airport

A liberal law professor at Northwestern University, Sheila Bedi, has become a focal point of controversy after offering free legal services to organizers of a large anti-Israel protest near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. The protest, which caused significant disruptions and delays for travelers, led to the arrest of several activists. Bedi, who leads the university’s Community Justice and Civil Rights Clinic, is representing four of the protest organizerswho were arrested during the demonstration. Her clinic, which focuses on social justice and addressing issues like over-policing and mass incarceration, is providing pro bono legal services to the activists. The protest itself was part of a broader wave of anti-Israel demonstrations across the U.S., with activists demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and chanting slogans like “Free, free, Palestine” while holding signs that read, “Your tax $ funds genocide.”

Bedi’s involvement in the case has sparked criticism, particularly from conservative legal groups and individuals who argue that her actions are misaligned with the values of the university and the broader legal community. Ted Frank, the litigation director for the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute, criticized Bedi and Northwestern, pointing out that the legal services provided by her clinic are funded by the university’s budget, which is supported by tuition dollars, taxpayer money, and donations. Frank accused Bedi and the activists of wasting resources by defending individuals who aim to dismantle the “system of Western abundance” and criticized the protesters for disrupting public order. He also highlighted the irony of using scarce legal resources to defend individuals who seek to undermine the very systems that fund their legal representation.

In response to the protest and its aftermath, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the organizers, including a Palestine Legal “Justice Fellow” named Rifqa Falaneh, who was identified as one of the top organizers of the protest. The lawsuit alleges that the protesters should be held liable for civil damages incurred by travelers who missed flights or were inconvenienced by the demonstration. Falaneh, who has also been involved in other anti-Israel activism, including illegal encampments on Northwestern’s campus, has filed multiple civil rights complaints on behalf of students who she claims have faced anti-Palestinian discrimination. Her involvement in both the protest and the legal challenges has further polarized the debate around the issue.

The controversy surrounding Bedi’s legal work has also drawn attention to the broader political climate on college campuses. In the wake of the campus unrest and the anti-Israel protests, Democratic lawmakers in Illinois have introduced new bills aimed at combating hate-based discrimination and attacks on campuses. The legislation would make it easier to sue colleges that fail to protect students from such incidents and would require universities to hire administrators to ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws. These efforts come amid growing concerns about the rise of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment on campuses, which has led to investigations by the Trump administration’s Department of Education into several prominent universities.

Despite the backlash, Bedi has remained a vocal supporter of the activists and their cause. In a now-deleted social media post, she praised the Northwestern encampment as “beautiful” and shared photos of herself and her son at the protest. However, a spokesperson for Northwestern University clarified that Bedi’s legal work does not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its law school. The university has sought to distance itself from the controversy while acknowledging Bedi’s right to engage in legal advocacy as part of her work with the clinic.

The situation underscores the tensions between academic freedom, social activism, and the boundaries of legal representation. Critics argue that Bedi’s involvement blurs the lines between education and activism, potentially misusing university resources to promote a specific political agenda. Supporters, on the other hand, see her work as a necessary defense of marginalized communities and a fulfillment of the clinic’s mission to address systemic injustices. As the legal battles and public debates continue, the case of Sheila Bedi and the anti-Israel protesters near O’Hare Airport serves as a microcosm of the larger struggles over free speech, activism, and the role of academia in addressing contentious social and political issues.