Tessa Veksler, a 23-year-old University of California, Santa Barbara graduate and former student body president, has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that a UCSB employee disguised in a mask helped inflame anti-Israel demonstrators to target her after she publicly condemned the Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023.
The complaint states Veksler became the focus of an antisemitic campaign following her criticism of the Hamas attack that killed more than 1,200 Israelis and led to the kidnapping of 250 people, sparking ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to the lawsuit filed Thursday, tensions escalated in February 2024 when Veksler approached a large group of masked anti-Israel protesters to diffuse tensions. However, she claims a UCSB representative—described as “defendant Doe 1” and also wearing a mask—joined the meeting and began harassing her, purposefully inciting the crowd’s antisemitic animus toward Tessa.
The lawsuit alleges the employee disrupted Veksler, egged on the demonstrators, and contributed directly to the crowd’s aggression. This incident occurred amid months of unchecked hostility during the 2023–24 academic year, during which university officials allegedly ignored Veksler’s repeated pleas for protection. A first-generation American, Veksler says harassment began immediately after she posted social media content condemning Hamas’ attack, prompting accusations she was “supporting genocide.”
Posters appeared across campus labeling her a “Zionist” and demanding her resignation, with some plastered near the university’s Multicultural Center—intended as a welcoming space for all students. Messages included: “AS president is racist Zionist,” “Get these Zionists out of office,” and a threatening warning: “You can run but you can’t hide Tessa Veksler.” One flyer even displayed her personal phone number. The complaint further alleges the university’s official Multicultural Center Instagram account posted an image of one of the hostile flyers.
All threats and harassment occurred under the watchful eye of UCSB administrators, according to the lawsuit. Despite having an elaborate anti-discrimination policy, university officials allegedly failed to address Veksler’s repeated pleas for help. The school issued a statement on February 26, 2024, condemning harassment related to Middle East tensions but did not mention Veksler by name.
By then, the lawsuit claims the sustained threats had taken severe psychological toll, leading to panic attacks and post-traumatic stress. During final exams, Veksler avoided campus entirely. She is now seeking unspecified damages from UCSB and 20 university staffers and representatives, alleging violations of her civil rights and a failure to protect both her safety and freedom of speech.
