ITHACA, NY — More than 1,000 furious protesters marched on Cornell University’s campus Monday in support of the woman allegedly gang-raped in a fraternity — and demanded the resignation of the school’s president.
“We are all Jane Doe,” read one sign in the massive crowd of students, faculty, Ithaca locals and outraged visitors gathered in the center of the Ivy League’s campus.
Others waving placards insisted, “Alcohol is not consent” and “Support survivors, listen to students.”
Some called for outright violence against the accused “Cornell 7” frat brothers, who the alleged victim, only identified in court papers as Jane Doe, said plied her with ketamine and alcohol in October 2024 before coercing her into an hours-long orgy of rape that she was too inebriated to resist.
Various speakers addressed the crowd with demands for Cornell’s fraternities to be kicked off the Ithaca, New York, campus, while others called for school President Michael Kotlikoff’s resignation over the school’s handling of Doe’s allegations, which resulted in two of the seven brothers being expelled but no criminal charges ever filed.
Each of those proclamations was met with uproarious cheers — and ensuing chants.
“F–k Kotlikoff! Justice for Jane Doe. Kotlikoff has to go. Justice for Jane Doe! All the frats have got to go!” the crowd chanted at one point.
Speakers also demanded that all the accused brothers who graduated after Doe’s allegations have their diplomas revoked and that those still on campus be expelled.
Some protesters demanded an overhaul of the campus judicial process around sexual assault.
“Students demand an external investigation of Cornell’s administration and a return to an independent judicial system,” they said.
“We want a judicial system where faculty, administration and students have equal say in who decides the faith of our campus and its people.”
Many protesters said they admired Doe for coming forward with her accusations two years after the alleged assault went down.
“You’re incredibly brave for this, and change will come because of this,” 19-year-old sophomore Jack Huber said he’d tell Doe if she was listening.
“All seven of those men should face criminal courts for their actions that night,” he said. “Cornell is not interested in justice.”
Local Stephanie Elmira said, “I’m pissed.
“I want Jane Doe to know she’s supported.”
None of the accused young men has been criminally charged, with the probe closed early on after an alleged cursory investigation by campus police and no follow-up by the local district attorney. Ithaca city cops were never notified of the woman’s reported allegations.
It wasn’t until the woman filed a lawsuit against the school and men last month that outrage grew enough for the DA to agree to reopen an investigation, with the district attorney saying he was unaware of all of the information in her suit.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
