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Parsons The New School For Design Rescinds Invitation To Disgraced Designer Galliano

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Under intense pressure, one of the city's top design schools has done a 180 and decided that a fashion designer once caught on tape in an anti-Semitic rant will not be allowed to hold a workshop after all.

As CBS 2's John Slattery reported Wednesday, Parsons The New School for Design has done an about-face, dumping designer John Galliano following a slew of complaints.

"As a student, I don't think he was the best choice," said student Chris Crews.

"I think Parsons could do better," added student Lindsay Frazier.

Galliano, the former chief designer at Christian Dior, was caught on tape in Paris cafe, lashing out at patrons he thought were Jewish.

"I love Hitler. Your forefathers would be f***ing gassed, and f***ing dead," Galliano said during the now-infamous rant.

The video went viral. Galliano lost his job and was fined by a French court. The designer apologized, blaming the rant on drug addiction.

At first the school leadership, because of the apology, said the tirade did not disqualify him from imparting valuable lessons.

But since then, a student petition drive opposed Galliano. The school's Jewish student union started an online petition late last month, accusing the university of valuing Galliano over them.

"This is obviously not allowing Jews to take the class at The New School. No one wants to take a class with a well-known anti-Semite," student union president Jennifer Kaplan said.

The school said it wanted him to include the discussion about Galliano's remarks in his appearance.

"Unfortunately, we could not reach consensus with Mr. Galliano on the conditions of this conversation, and the program could not move forward," said school spokeswoman Deborah Kirschner.

Some students think Galliano should appear. And the Anti-Defamation League agrees, saying Galliano has been seeking forgiveness.

"So if Mr. Galliano has gone through this journey and says he's sorry, is contrite, and speaks convincingly of this, we should take him at his word and open that door," said Etzion Neuer of the Anti-Defamation League.

But perhaps because of student pressure, a design school has told the designer, no way.

The four-day workshop was to have taken place next month at the school.

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