Syracuse, N.Y. -- Four fraternity pledges and one brother who were among those removed from classes by Syracuse University after an offensive video surfaced are taking the college to court.
In a lawsuit in which they claim they were denied due process and unfairly labeled racists, the students shared their view of the events that led to the expulsion of Theta Tau.
Pledge Porno
The offensive videos came from skits performed by pledges in the basement of 1105 Harrison St. to lampoon other members. They were videotaped for members not present.
Theta Tau calls the tradition "Pledge Porno," because it often focuses on members' dating success.
Fights, lost jobs
The affidavits claim there has been a public backlash over the videos including one member being assaulted at Wolff's Biergarten in downtown Syracuse. No other details about the assault were provided.
The lawsuit also claims that members have been fired from jobs and one of the individuals claims that a professor told him he might "terminate his position" as a research assistant.
Other members have been forced to stay with family members or friends to avoid the public outcry.
Read our continuing coverage of Theta Tau's expulsionJewish member uses 'k-word'
In affidavits provided by fraternity members, they say one of the individuals using offensive language about Jewish individuals is Jewish.
"Everyone present also understood the comic irony of having a Jewish member say he had 'hatred' in his heart for 'ki*es,' " an affidavit said.
Trump supporter
In one skit, a fraternity member pretended to be a brother known as a Donald Trump supporter.
The lampooned brother was portrayed as "a redneck, 'back woods' figure, who forced his pledges to undergo an 'anointing' by taking an oath to 'always have hate in [his] heart' for 'n*ggers,' 'sp*cs' and the 'f*ckin' kikes.' "
No offense
The lawsuit claims that none of the language was meant to be hateful because it was satire. Viewing the videos in that context is critical, the suit says.
"The skits did not constitute actual racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, sexism and disrespect for the disabled. Rather, the entire focus of the skits was to create caricatures and exaggerate to be outrageous. .. No one watching these performances in context could possibly have interpreted them as anything other than what they were - satirical portrayals of offensive conduct and attitudes offered for entertainment with no intent to harm or harass anyone."
Claims of diversity
The lawsuit stresses the organization's diversity. Three of the individuals filing the lawsuit note they are African-American, Hispanic and Indian-American respectively.
The lawsuit says 28 members are "diverse," and that makes up 44 percent of the fraternity.
Sober students
One of the charges the university made against 18 students was that some of fraternity members were using drugs or alcohol.
In their affidavits, pledges said they believe everyone in attendance was sober and that the only drug or alcohol involved in the skits was an empty can of 4 Loko.
Academics unexplained
Syracuse University has said that arrangements have been made for students going through the student judicial process to continue their academic work off campus.
The lawsuit claims this isn't the case. Fraternity members say they have been banned from class, provided no alternative and their attempts to get answers have been unsuccessful.
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