NJ Professor Called Student Racist Over Trump Flag, Lawsuit Says

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A Passaic County college is being sued by a former student who alleges he was labeled racist and retaliated against by a professor for displaying a Trump 2020 flag.

Specifically, Justin Caiazzo, of Parsippany, is claiming his First Amendment rights were violated by the professor and the college.

Caiazzo enrolled in classes with Passaic County Community College, in Paterson, in 2018, according to the suit.

In July 2021, he enrolled in a business statistics course taught by Professor Gladys Harris, according to the suit. The course was taught remotely, with classes being held through video via Zoom.

Caiazzo, attending the class remotely from his home, appeared on camera with a “Trump 2020” political campaign flag displayed in the background. The suit says he never vocalized his political views, only displayed the flag in his background.

At that point, Harris said the class would not continue until he removed the flag, calling it “offensive,” according to the suit.

When Caiazzo refused to remove the flag, Harris called him “racist” in front of the entire class, the lawsuit reads.

After Caiazzo still refused to remove the flag, Harris ejected him from the virtual class and did not allow him to rejoin, the suit reads.

The suit called Caiazzo’s flag display political expression protected by his First Amendment rights. Harris’ objection to the flag and demands to have it removed, especially in the capacity of a professor at a public college, violated Caiazzo’s rights, the suit claims.

Later, Caiazzo asked Harris for help with coursework and hoped to discuss the incident, the suit says. She refused to help him, telling him to “go on tutor.com,” it adds.

Caiazzo told several college administrators about the incident, with his main concern being that Harris could not objectively grade his work after labeling him a “racist,” the suit says.

After a review of the incident, the college sided with Harris, telling Caiazzo he must remain in the class or drop it and receive an F on his record, according to the suit.

Caiazzo eventually decided to withdraw from the class, taking a financial and academic hit rather than being subjected to a class he called “hostile, unfair, unconstitutional, and untenable.”

Furthermore, Passaic County Community College has refused to give Caiazzo his Associate’s Degree, despite completing the necessary requirements, the suit says. Caiazzo completed the business statistics course at William Paterson University with a grade of 88, it adds.

As a result of the incident, Caiazzo suffered “monetary loss… academic harm, emotional distress, humiliation, and related damages,” according to the lawsuit.

The suit cites First Amendment violations, negligence, and retaliation. It names both the school and Harris specifically.

Caiazzo is seeking damages and attorney fees.

Representatives from Passaic County Community College were not immediately available for comment.