A call to Rutgers students and student organizations (please sign form at bottom):
July 14, 2003
You may have heard of the recent attacks upon New Jersey Solidarity, a
registered student organization at the University, which is planning to
host the Third North American Student Conference of the Palestine Solidarity
Movement on October 10-12, 2003, at the Douglass College Center. The
conference, which has been held in past years at the University of
California- Berkeley and the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor, brings
together hundreds of activists for educational sessions, activist
skill-sharings and strategy meetings.
This year, however, the conference is under attack. This attack, forwarded
by State Senate President John Bennett and Governor Jim McGreevey, targets
the student organizers for their political positions, and threatens to
cancel the conference simply because state legislators disagree with the
student organizers' politics - a clear threat to freedom of speech and
association. The New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union
has expressed its deep concerns about this overt involvement of state
officials in suppressing student free speech and free expression.
To date, the University administration has held fast to principles of free
speech and free association, stating that the specific political views of
the organizers are irrelevant to the broader question of student free
speech. As students and organizers, we are all under threat whenever the
specter of official state censorship at our University is raised. Please
sign the following appeals to President McCormick and Governor McGreevey
to defend student free speech and free association. Our
University and state-level officials must be held accountable for actions
that attempt to stifle student expression and organizing!
Dear President McCormick,
As student leaders, student organizations, and active students at Rutgers
University, we are writing to call upon you to hold firm to the
University's principles of student free speech and freedom of association.
The recent attacks upon New Jersey Solidarity's planned Third North
American Student Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement by press
and government officials have raised the disturbing specter of official
state censorship on our campus. The call by State Senate President John
Bennett for the cancellation of the conference and the comments by
Governor Jim McGreevey that he is "concerned" about "balance" at the
conference indicate an unhealthy level of interest in student activities
that clearly fall under the banner of free speech and association.
In addition, the comments by Micah Rasmussen, McGreevey's spokesman,
reported in the Press of Atlantic City, reveal an even more worrisome
approach on the part of state officials. Rasmussen stated that McGreevey
considers the registered student organization in question "abhorrent" and
that the state government was investigating "whether or not they have a
history of violence;" he also indicated that the state government had
checked, but failed to find the organization on a list of "suspected
terrorist organizations." At a time when we are facing increased attacks on
civil rights and liberties, it is imperative that our academic
institutions not become a venue for political interrogation and
persecution.
McGreevey's planned meeting with you is inappropriate and troubling; that
the governor of the state of New Jersey sees fit to involve himself in
purely internal University matters, including student organizations and
their activities - especially as the University's budget is slashed -
indicates a fundamental lack of respect for academic freedom and freedom
of association.
As students, we recognize that a threat to one student's freedom of speech
and association is a threat to us all. We represent many backgrounds and
causes, yet we are united in our belief that our University may only
thrive as an academic center when freedom of debate and discourse is
respected. Our campus should be an open site for discussion and dialogue -
not a place where all student expression requires state sanction. Such a
concept is an affront not only to any concept of a university, but also to
the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Please continue to uphold the University's position supporting student
free speech and rebuff the state government's attempt to interfere in
internal University matters and student political work.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
NJ Solidarity - Rutgers Chapter
Caellian
Douglass College Government Association
Islamic Society of Rutgers University
Rutgers University Society of Arab Students
Rutgers University Glee Club
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc
Rutgers Acts for Peace and Justice
Black Voice / Carta Latina
RU SIKHS
Students for Environmental Awareness
Erum Raza
Hassanuddin Khaja
Nazim Haqqani
Fehmina Poonawalla
Michael Scheinberg
Subah Dayal
Joseph Deodato
Ingrid Alvarez
Tyler Johnson
Niyati Shah
Louise Ammentorp (Alumni)
Anthony D'Agostino
Scott Gorman
Tom DeGloma
Suman Sridhar
Genene Salman
Tricia Carletta
Antonio Rosario
Audrey Allred
Dear Governor McGreevey,
As student leaders, student organizations, and active students at Rutgers
University, we are writing to call upon you to reject attacks upon student
free speech and freedom of expression. The recent attacks upon New Jersey
Solidarity's planned Third North American Student Conference of the
Palestine Solidarity Movement by press and government officials have
raised the disturbing specter of official state censorship on our campus.
The call by State Senate President John Bennett for the cancellation of
the conference and by your spokesperson that you are "concerned" about
"balance" at the conference indicate an unhealthy level of interest in
student activities that clearly fall under the banner of free speech and
association.
The comments by Micah Rasmussen, your spokesman, reported in the Press of
Atlantic City, reveal an even more worrisome approach. Rasmussen stated
that you consider the registered student organization in question
"abhorrent" and that the state government was investigating "whether or
not they have a history of violence;" he also indicated that the state
government had checked, but failed to find the organization on a list of
"suspected terrorist organizations." At a time when we are facing increased
attacks on civil rights and liberties, it is imperative that our academic
institutions not become a venue for political interrogation and
persecution.
The fact that you have sought a meeting with Rutgers University President
Richard McCormick rather than recognizing this as a clear issue of freedom
of speech raises very severe questions about your respect as a governor
for the principles of higher education and the university community, and
more fundamental questions about your respect for the First Amendment. The
political activities and events of student organizations should be no more
subject to review by the state governor than any other political events -
any indication to the contrary indicates approval of official state
censorship.
We are calling upon you to reject political baiting and attempts at
repression of student organizations and the student community at Rutgers
University. It is not the place of the state governor to interfere with
the operations of the University, nor is it the place of the governor to
approve or disapprove of student organizing. Our University is an
excellent university because it is committed to principles of a fine
university - including those of an open campus environment, debate,
dialogue and discussion. Please step back from your comments that you are
"investigating" New Jersey Solidarity. Political organizations need not be
"investigated," and your spokesperson's comments are chillingly
reminiscent of the McCarthy period.
It is imperative that our state government respect and recognize our
rights. Please respect the University's independence.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
NJ Solidarity - Rutgers Chapter
Caellian
Douglass College Government Association
Islamic Society of Rutgers University
Rutgers University Society of Arab Students
Rutgers University Glee Club
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc
Rutgers Acts for Peace and Justice
Black Voice / Carta Latina
RU SIKHS
Students for Environmental Awareness
Nadia Akbar
Erum Raza
Hassanuddin Khaja
Nazim Haqqani
Fehmina Poonawalla
Michael Scheinberg
Subah Dayal
Joseph Deodato
Ingrid Alvarez
Tyler Johnson
Niyati Shah
Louise Ammentorp (Alumni)
Anthony D'Agostino
Alexandra Holmstrom-Smith
Scott Gorman
Tom DeGloma
Suman Sridhar
Genene Salman
Tricia Carletta
Antonio Rosario
Audrey Allred
To sign onto either or both of these letters, please fill out the form below, or send an email to
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