Cornell University canceled classes on Friday after student Patrick Dai was arrested for making violent antisemitic threats against his Jewish classmates.
The top New York Ivy League college said that Friday will be a “community day” where students and staff will be excused from work to rest and reflect following the “extraordinary stress of the past few weeks,” a university spokeswoman told The Post.
Dai, an engineering student, was arrested by federal authorities on Tuesday after they linked him to a series of disturbing online posts threatening to kill and rape Jewish students and to “bring an assault rifle onto campus.”
The 21-year-old allegedly posted a series of threats to internet message boards aimed at fraternities and organizations under usernames such as “Hamas Fighters,” “Honorable Hamas,” and “evil Jews,” according to the indictment.
Cornell University canceled classes and allowed all students and staff to work on Friday for a “community day.” Shutterstock
Dai threatened to decapitate Jews and “rape and kill all Jewish women before they give birth to more Jewish Hitlers,” according to court documents. He also referred to the Jews as “rats” who needed to be exterminated.
In one particular post he threatened to bring a gun to school and “shoot up 104 West” – a campus dining hall that specializes in kosher food.
After being arrested and Tuesday, Dai allegedly admitted to posting the threats, according to the criminal complaint.
Patrick Dai, 21, was arrested by federal authorities on Tuesday. Broome County Sheriff’s Office/AFP via Getty Images
He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on charges of sending threats to kill or injure another person using interstate communications.
Jewish students at Cornell’s Ithaca, New York campus were terrified in the two and a half days between when the online posting was reported on Sunday and Dai’s arrest on Tuesday.
Tensions have been high on campus since Hamas launched an Oct. 7 attack on Israel, triggering an aggressive military response.
The conflict has divided college communities across the country.
“While we take some relief in learning that the alleged author of vile antisemitic posts that threaten our Jewish community is in custody, it is disturbing to learn that he is a Cornell student,” Cornell President Martha E. Pollack said in a letter to the school on Wednesday.
He urged students and staff to remain vigilant to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia.
Cornell University President Martha E. Pollack urges students to remain vigilant in the fight against antisemitism and Islamophobia.Shutterstock
Campus police have increased their presence, especially in “high priority areas,” Pollack said.
Dai made his Syracuse debut on Wednesday, wearing an orange jumpsuit and ankle pants. He waived his right to a detention hearing and was ordered held without bail before being transferred to the custody of the US Marshalls.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 15.
Gov. Kathy Hochul joined Cornell University President Martha Pollack for a tour with students at the Center for Jewish Life at Cornell on Wednesday. Lindsay France/Cornell Marketing
Dai’s parents exclusively told The Post that while they don’t believe their son was responsible for the post, he has suffered from mental illness.
“My son suffers from severe depression. He could not control his emotions well because of depression. No, I don’t think he committed the crime,” his father told The Post via text, who wished to remain anonymous.
Dai suffered severe depression in 2021 after starting his studies at Cornell, and said his son had previously been a high achiever and helpful, according to his father.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul visited Cornell on Wednesday and met with Pollack and students at the university’s Center for Jewish Life to discuss threats and antisemitism on campus.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
