FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 28, 2026)- Attorney General Russell Coleman released the following statement after Solicitor General Matt Kuhn argued in support of efforts to combat antisemitism Tuesday at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, one level below the Supreme Court of the United States:
“Combating the poison of antisemitism is an urgent priority on college campuses and wherever the threat emerges. We remain confident in our position in support of the Kentucky General Assembly’s directives to our public universities to stamp out this hate. Our Office will continue to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters to defend the safety and hospitality of our Kentucky home.”
Background:
In April, General Coleman filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit standing strong for Jewish students in Kentucky and across the country who face a rising tide of antisemitism on college campuses. In 2025, the General Assembly passed Senate Joint Resolution 55, directing Kentucky’s public universities to adopt policies to “combat antisemitism within their institutions.” The law reports that from 2022 to 2024 there was a 200% increase in reported instances of antisemitism on American college campuses.
In reliance on those guidelines, the University of Kentucky temporarily suspended the teaching duties of law professor Ramsi Woodcock in July 2025. According to court documents, Woodcock allegedly called for “violence against Israel, the genocide of the Israeli people who are predominantly Jewish, and the ultimate destruction of Israel.” General Coleman’s brief made it clear the First Amendment does not prohibit UK from investigating Woodcock for “creating a hostile environment for Jewish students.”
In a previous letter to the UK community, President Eli Capilouto called the professor’s statements “repugnant.” The letter went on to say, “…we are obligated to act to protect our community and our people.”
Read more about the action taken by the Office of the Attorney General here.