The Rutgers Association for Middle East Justice, a student group that works closely with New Jersey Solidarity, reserved banner and display case space at various Rutgers University Student Centers, including the Douglass College Center. At the Douglass College Center, RAMEJ members posted a banner in their reserved space; it is scheduled to be displayed until Monday, March 10. The banner may be seen here:
The display at the Rutgers Student Center is shown here:
Since the banner has gone up, people have attempted to force the Douglass College Center to remove the banner. The DCC has insisted upon students' rights to freedom of speech and political expression, and has refused to remove the banner. PLEASE THANK THE DCC FOR THEIR COURAGE! Email dccenter@rci.rutgers.edu
On Friday, March 7, there will be a sit-in against the banner at the Douglass College Center,100 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ. Our opposition will distribute a "fact sheet" - that will undoubtedly be full of lies and distortions. We need to show the DCC that we support freedom of speech and be there! The sit-in will take place all day in the DCC -- so we need your support all day! Please be there, please email the DCC to thank them and otherwise support freedom of speech!
UPDATE: The sit-in at Douglass College Center has ended. However, the Israel Action Committee is beginning a sit-in at the Rutgers Student Center at 126 College Avenue in New Brunswick. RAMEJ has reserved a display case there where the message "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" is displayed with a collection of images and advertising for our upcoming Cultural Event. The Rutgers Student Center has also received complaints and has also refused to remove our display--please thank them by emailing them at hefelle@rci.rutgers.edu! If you can come to the Rutgers Student Center, please do! If you cannot, please email them and tell them you appreciate their support for free expression.
UPDATE 2: The second sit-in has now ended as well. Please continue to send email to the DCC and RSC thanking the Rutgers administration for refusing to succumb to pressue to deny free speech.
NJ Solidarity has developed a leaflet and fact sheet in response to the controversy, explaining the conflict in historical context. Please pass it along!
To aid this campaign, contact:
NEW JERSEY SOLIDARITYNovember 2002 Action Alert re: Daily Targum