Articles by Becky Z. Dernbach

Academics & Education

Judge tosses four of five claims related to art history dispute at Hamline University, keeps case in federal court Erika López Prater, an art history professor, lost her teaching position at Hamline after showing images of the Prophet Muhammad in class. A federal judge will allow her religious discrimination claim to proceed.

September 15, 2023   

(Sahan Journal) A lawsuit against Hamline University by a former art history professor will remain in federal court, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez ruled Friday. But she dismissed four of the professor’s five claims that stemmed from a campus dispute last winter. […]

Academics & Education

Art history professor moves to dismiss federal lawsuit against Hamline, plans to file new suit A federal judge dismissed the case at the art history professor’s request. The professor’s lawyer told Sahan Journal his client would file a new case in state court.

February 9, 2023   

(Sahan Journal) A federal judge on Thursday dismissed the lawsuit Erika López Prater filed against Hamline University after the school criticized her for displaying two images of the Prophet Muhammad in her art history class. David Redden, an attorney for López Prater, […]

Academics & Education

‘Female autonomy’ versus ‘betrayal’: Macalester closes, then reopens, art gallery after pushback from Muslim students Macalester added a content warning to an exhibit by an Iranian American artist, which explores women’s freedoms and Muslim identity. The artist, Taravat Talepasand, said temporarily covering her art with black curtains was an act of 'censorship.'

February 8, 2023   

(Sahan Journal) A Macalester College art exhibit reopened Monday after a brief closure to address concerns from Muslim students. It’s the second time in recent months that Muslim students at private liberal arts colleges in St. Paul have raised objections to art […]