University of Massachusetts Amherst students outraged that the campus is set to host an event featuring Palestinian activists are hoping a judge boots the event off campus.

A lawyer for the students on Thursday filed an emergency motion against UMass officials in Suffolk Superior Court, asking the court to order UMass Amherst to kick the May 4 forum off the Western Mass. campus.

The event, “Not Backing Down: Israel, Free Speech and the Battle for Palestinian Human Rights,” is being co-sponsored by university departments. Some groups have condemned the event as anti-Semitic and anti-Israel.

“These departments are basically sponsoring a hate-fest,” attorney Karen Hurvitz, representing the students, said Thursday evening. “They need to move this rally off campus and not sponsor it in any way.”

The event is being co-sponsored by the Department of Communication and the Department of Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies.

The panel will feature Roger Waters, the ex-Pink Floyd founder and bassist and advocate for Palestinian human rights, and Palestinian political activist Linda Sarsour.

In the emergency motion filed Thursday, Hurvitz wrote the students will “suffer irreparable harm” if the event takes place on campus. Fliers announcing the event have been posted around campus, making Jewish students fearful and intimidated, she said.

“If the Preliminary Injunction is not granted, and the anti-Semitic rally detailed in the Complaint is allowed to take place, Plaintiff students will suffer immediate and irreparable harm,” Hurvitz wrote.

UMass Amherst has numerous policies concerning its commitments to non-discrimination, intolerance and inclusion. This event sponsored by university departments would violate these policies, Hurvitz wrote.

A UMass spokesman declined to comment Thursday, adding they don’t comment on pending litigation.

In response to groups condemning the event, a university spokesman said Wednesday the forum is being presented by a private foundation that has rented space on campus. No university or taxpayer funds are being used to support the event.

“UMass Amherst is committed to fostering a community of dignity and respect and rejects all forms of bigotry,” the spokesman said in a statement. “The campus is also firmly committed to the principles of free speech and academic freedom.”

Departments sponsoring an event does not mean they’re endorsing the views, rather they’re endorsing “the exploration of complex and sometimes difficult topics,” he later added.

“The opinions expressed by participants at the May 4 event and other such events do not represent the views of the University,” the spokesman added. “And, as has been stated repeatedly, the University remains firmly opposed to academic boycotts of any kind, including BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement).”