FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former Stanford Medical professor files formal complaint alleging retaliation for raising awareness of genocide-related illness and trauma in global conflict zones
STANFORD, Calif. — (April 7, 2026) — A former Stanford Medical School professor represented by Legal Aid at Work, has filed a formal complaint with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, alleging the university unlawfully interfered with Dr. Wen Feng’s political activities and affiliations, ultimately resulting in their wrongful termination. The complaint details how Stanford sought to “control or direct . . . political activities or affiliations” following Dr. Feng’s participation in a “Sick from Genocide” event held in January 2025, which Stanford deemed “political” due to its association with support for Palestine.
The health advocacy event, which was intended to raise awareness of genocide-related illness and trauma in global conflict zones, was not represented as a Stanford-sponsored event and did not take place during Dr. Feng’s duty hours. It was the first in a series of events outlined in the formal complaint in which Dr. Feng engaged in activities Stanford deemed “political” or “controversial.”
“Doctors have a responsibility not just to our patients, but to our society,” said Dr. Feng. “As a medical professional, I’ve dedicated my life to caring about others. Sharing my expertise, backed by science and research, should not be controversial.”
Health care depends on trust and professional judgment. Whether patients are seeking reproductive care, gender-affirming care, substance use treatment, or vaccines, providers must be able to do their job without pressure to conform to an employer’s political preferences.
“This case reflects a broader and troubling trend in which individuals’ employment is weaponized to suppress political viewpoints and lawful expression,” said Hailey McAllister, senior staff attorney at Legal Aid at Work. “Dr. Feng’s case exemplifies this pattern of coercive employer conduct that serves to silence workers across the state at a moment of political polarization and heightened social tension surrounding political causes, such as the ongoing conflict in Gaza.”
Sections 1101 and 1102 of the California Labor Code prohibit employers from using the threat of job loss to control political activity and expression, and protects employees’ fundamental rights to engage in political activity without employer interference or fear of retaliation. When employers can punish one employee for their peaceful political expression, it affects all workers. And in practice, it’s the workers with the least power and fewest protections who bear the brunt of that restriction.
“In 1979, the California Supreme Court declared that employees have a fundamental right to engage in a wide range of political activity and expression,” added Christopher Ho, another Legal Aid at Work attorney on the case. “This right enables people to speak out against policies they believe to be unjust. But if we have to think twice before expressing our opinions on matters that affect us all, our democracy is in serious trouble.”
Legal Aid at Work has recently filed similar cases involving retaliation against anti-war or pro-Palestine speech in tech, health and other sectors, helping employees assert their right to express their views on political issues free from employer reprisal.
Contact:
Hailey McAllister
Senior Staff Attorney
National Origin and Immigrants’ Rights Program
Legal Aid at Work
hmcallister@legalaidatwork.org
415.593.0137
Christopher Ho
Director, National Origin and Immigrants’ Rights Program
Legal Aid at Work
cho@legalaidatwork.org
415.593.0055
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Legal Aid at Work partners with people to help them understand and assert their workplace rights. We also advocate for employment laws and systems that empower low-paid workers and marginalized communities.