January 20, 2017

Fordham University turns to the dark side

Earlier this week we got word of some really disconcerting news: Fordham University in NYC banned a Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) group from forming on its campus!
University officials claimed the SJP would be too “polarizing” for the campus to tolerate and that the call for BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) against Israel “presents a barrier to open dialogue.” But we know well that it is Israel’s policies that impose barriers and intolerance -- in violent and illegal ways. As member group Palestine Legal has made clear in their letter to Fordham, this decision to censor SJP violates free speech and academic freedom
The students at Fordham were put through a year-long process to get the SJP approved. Now that they have been banned, they need your supportto deliver a strong message to Fordham officials that this decision is unacceptable. Click here to send them an email. 
There has been widespread suppression of Palestinian rights advocacy across the country for years. This blatant shutting down of Palestine activism is particularly concerning on the eve of a Trump presidency that promises even further suppression of organizing for freedom, justice, and equality while the administration speaks of pushing forward policies that will entrench Israel’s oppression.
Students have been at the forefront of so many social movements for justice. Make it clear today that the shutting down of campus advocacy for Palestine will not be tolerated
Thank you for taking action. 
Director of Grassroots Organizing 

 

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