Student activism in the BDS movement: Difference between revisions
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#REDIRECT [[Students for Justice in Palestine]] |
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{{Article for deletion/dated|page=Student activism in the BDS movement|timestamp=20130414072321|year=2013|month=April|day=14|substed=yes}} |
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The [[Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions]] movement has been led by student activists on college campuses. Campus chapters of [[Students for Justice in Palestine]] (SJP) have prominently sponsored action in universities. |
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==Divestment at Hampshire College== |
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On February 7, 2009, the [[Board of Trustees]] of Hampshire College concluded that SSgA held stocks that violated the college’s policy on "socially responsible investments." Although the meeting minutes showed that Hampshire President Hexter acknowledged that it was the "good work of SJP" that brought this issue to the attention of the committee, the university's official declaration stated that the divestment decision "expressly did not pertain to a political movement or single out businesses active in a specific region or country."<ref> {{cite news | first = Peter | last = Schworm | title = Hampshire College cuts ties with fund invested in Israel | date = 12 Feb 2009 | publisher = [[Boston.com]] | url = http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/02/hamphire_colleg.html | work = Boston.com | accessdate = 2013-03-13}}</ref> |
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==Princeton and DePaul campaign to boycott Sabra== |
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===Princeton University=== |
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On November 11, 2010, the SJP at Princeton<ref> {{cite news | title = A BDS Debate at Princeton, with J Street, JVP, and me (this Wednesday) | date = 13 Dec 2010 | url = http://maxblumenthal.com/tag/sabra-hummus/ | work = maxblumenthal.com | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref> — Princeton Committee on Palestine (PCP) — began collecting signatures to place a non-binding referendum that called on [[Princeton University]] to ban Sabra from campus.<ref> {{cite news | first = Alaka | last = Halder | title = Students campaign for alternative hummus | date = 19 Nov 2010 | publisher = [[The Daily Princetonian]] | url = http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2010/11/19/26950/ | work = The Daily Princetonian | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref> The referendum's wording was rephrased to call for alternatives to Sabra at Princeton. After complaints by a representative from Tigers for Israel on the technicality of rephrasing the referendum, the Student Government on November 20 decided that a new petition had to be submitted with 200 signatures to have a rephrased referendum. After two days, a new petition with the rephrased wording and 200 signatures was submitted to Student Government.<ref> {{cite news | first = Abby | last = Greene | title = Dipping in controversy: A look at Princeton’s hummus debate | date = 22 Nov 2010 | publisher = University Press Club | url = http://www.universitypressclub.com/archive/2010/11/dipping-in-controversy-a-look-at-princetons-hummus-debate/ | work = The Ink | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref> After a week’s delay, the referendum was placed on the ballot on the week of November 29.<ref> {{cite news | first = Rachel | last = Jackson | title = After week’s delay, voting on Sabra hummus referendum opens | date = 29 Nov 2010 | publisher = [[The Daily Princetonian]] | url = http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2010/11/29/27025/ | work = The Daily Princetonian | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref> Students voted down the referendum 1,014 to 699.<ref name="nythummus"/> |
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===DePaul University=== |
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On November 11, 2010, SJP at [[DePaul University]] expressed concerns that [[Sabra (company)|Sabra]] supported the Israeli occupation. On November 19, the university temporarily suspended the sale of Sabra products and told campaign organizers that Sabra products are set to be removed from shelves for the remainder of the school quarter.<ref> {{cite news | first = Sami | last = Kishawi | title = DePaul ‘divests’ from Israeli hummus product | date = 19 Nov 2010 | url = http://smpalestine.com/2010/11/19/depaul-divests-from-israeli-hummus-product/ | work = Sixteen Minutes to Palestine | accessdate = 2013-03-13}}</ref><ref> {{cite news | first = Sami | last = Kishawi | title = Update on DePaul’s temporary divestment from Sabra products: Official Statement | date = 22 Nov 2010 | url = http://smpalestine.com/2010/11/22/update-on-depauls-divestment-from-sabra-products-official-statement/ | work = Sixteen Minutes to Palestine | accessdate = 2013-03-13}}</ref> On November 24, DePaul University reversed its stance to remove Sabra from campus by reinstating it in the dining halls.<ref name="nythummus"> {{cite news | first = Tamar | last = Lewin | title = New Subject of Debate on Mideast: Hummus | date = 3 Dec 2010 | publisher = [[The New York Times]] | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/04/education/04hummus.html?_r=0 | work = The New York Times | accessdate = 2013-03-13}}</ref> |
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On May 12, 2011, the DePaul SJP presented a non-binding referendum to the Student Government concerning Sabra. After deliberation, the Student Government decided to place the referendum on the ballot from May 16 to May 20.<ref> {{cite news | first = Maureen | last = Murphy | title = Sabra boycott referendum up for student vote at DePaul University | date = 16 May 2011 | publisher = [[The Electronic Intifada]] | url = http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/maureen-clare-murphy/sabra-boycott-referendum-student-vote-depaul-university | work = The Electronic Intifada | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref><ref> {{cite news | first = Jenn | last = Schanz | title = SGA holds referendum on Sabra hummus | date = 17 May 2011 | url = http://www.depauliaonline.com/news/sga-holds-referendum-on-sabra-hummus-1.2229481#.UUD4ZoZeumQ | work = The DePaulia | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref> The student referendum was the first referendum on the ballot in over 10 years.<ref> {{cite news | first = Lacey | last = McCraney | title = Hummus Vote More Than Dip Debate at DePaul | date = 17 May 2011 | publisher = [[NBC News]] | url = http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Hummus-Vote-More-Than-Just-a-Dip-Debate-at-DePaul-121989114.html | work = NBC Chicago | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref> The students voted to remove Sabra with 1,127 votes in favor of removing Sabra out of 1,467 votes cast. 332 students voted against the referendum, and 8 voted “other.”<ref> {{cite news | title = DePaul students vote to boycott Sabra Hummus | date = 23 May 2011 | url = http://www.bdsmovement.net/2011/depaul-sabra-hummus-7083 | work = BDSmovement.net | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref> Although the referendum passed, it was not recorded as an official referendum because total voter turnout did not increase 1,500.<ref> {{cite news | first = Sami | last = Kishawi | title = DePaul vote on Sabra hummus a victory for human rights | date = 25 May 2011 | publisher = [[The Electronic Intifada]] | url = http://electronicintifada.net/content/depaul-vote-sabra-hummus-victory-human-rights/10010 | work = The Electronic Intifada | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref><ref> {{cite news | title = Referendum to ban Israeli hummus at DePaul fails | date = 22 May 2012 | publisher = [[ABC News]] | url = http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8143524 | work = ABC Local News | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref> Following the election, the Fair Business Practices Committee ultimately decided to keep Sabra in the dining halls despite student opposition. Several months later, DePaul introduced an alternative brand of hummus on campus to "to “provide the university community with more dining choices”.<ref> {{cite news | first = Nora | last = Barrows-Friedman | title = Ethical alternatives to Sabra hummus now at DePaul University | date = 25 May 2011 | publisher = [[The Electronic Intifada]] | url = http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/nora/ethical-alternatives-sabra-hummus-now-depaul-university | work = The Electronic Intifada | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref> |
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==California BDS initiative== |
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SJP at Berkeley led a 40 group coalition and over 100 UC faculty members to support divestment at [[University of California, Berkeley]]. On March 17, 2010, UC Berkeley Student Senate voted 16-4 to support divestment companies that provided military equipment used against Palestinian civilians including [[General Electric]] and [[United Technologies]]. A week later, UC Berkeley Student Body President vetoed the divestment bill.<ref> {{cite news | first = Amanda | last = Pazornik | title = UPDATE: U.C.Berkeley student president vetoes divest-from-Israel resolution | date = 12 Feb 2009 | publisher = [[j.]] | url = http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/57582/divest-from-israel-vote-at-u.c.-berkeley-draws-swift-reaction/ | work = Jweekly | accessdate = 2013-03-13}}</ref> On April 14 and April 28, initiatives to overturn the veto failed. The final vote was 12-7 with 1 abstention, which meant that the initiative to overturn the presidential veto was one vote short.<ref> {{cite news | first = Dina | last = Omar | title = At Berkeley, moral victory despite divestment vote loss | date = 3 May 2010 | publisher = [[The Electronic Intifada]] | url = http://electronicintifada.net/content/berkeley-moral-victory-despite-divestment-vote-loss/8809 | work = The Electronic Intifada | accessdate = 2013-03-13}}</ref> |
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===Irvine domino effect=== |
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On November 13, 2012, the [[University of California, Irvine]] Student Senate unanimously passed a resolution 16-0 to call on University of California to divest from companies that assist or directly profit from Israeli human rights abuses including [[Caterpillar]], [[Hewlett-Packard]], General Electric, [[Sodastream]], [[Raytheon]] and [[L-3 Communications]].<ref> {{cite news | first = Stephen | last = Ceasar | coauthors = Rick Rojas | title = UC Irvine student leaders urge UC to divest from some companies | date = 14 Nov 2012 | publisher = [[Los Angeles Times]] | url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/11/uc-irvine-student-leaders-urge-uc-to-divest-in-some-companies.html | work = Los Angeles Times | accessdate = 2013-03-13}}</ref><ref> {{cite news | first = Ali | last = Abunimah | title = Historic UC Irvine divestment vote deals stinging defeat to Zionist bullying on campus | date = 14 Nov 2012 | publisher = [[The Electronic Intifada]] | url = http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/historic-uc-irvine-divestment-vote-deals-stinging-defeat-zionist-bullying-campus | work = The Electronic Intifada | accessdate = 2013-03-13}}</ref> The President of UC Irvine Student Body praised the legislation by stating, “We are agents of change in this world.”<ref> {{cite news | first = Uzma | last = Kolsy | title = UC Irvine Students Vote to Divest From Israel | date = 27 Nov 2012 | publisher = [[The Nation]] | url = http://www.thenation.com/blog/171471/uc-irvine-students-vote-divest-israel# | work = The Nation | accessdate = 2013-03-13}}</ref> SJP chapters throughout the country lauded the Irvine Divest campaign.<ref> {{cite news | first = Sarah | last = Moon | title = UCI Passes Unanimous Divestment Resolution | date = 19 Nov 2012 | url = http://www.ucsdguardian.org/news-and-features/california/item/26115-uci-passes-unanimous-divestment-resolution#.UUDHkIZeumQ | work = University of California San Diego The Guardian | accessdate = 2013-03-13}}</ref> |
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[[Stanford University]]'s SJP chapter led a coalition of student organizations after two years of campaigning.<ref name="mondo"> {{cite news | first = Alex | last = Kane | title = California BDS debate heats up: Riverside campus passes divestment measure as Stanford rejects the same | date = 7 March 2013 | publisher = ''[[Mondoweiss]]'' | url = http://mondoweiss.net/2013/03/california-riverside-divestment.html | work = Mondowiess | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref> On February 19, 2013, they presented a draft bill to the Undergraduate Senate for a recommendation to the university's Board of Trustees to divest from companies with known affiliations of human rights violations in Palestine. On March 5, Senate voted 7-1 against the bill with 5 abstains. After the meeting, a former Stanford Student Body President wrote a letter to SPER mailing list expressing his disappointment in the Senate's failure to pass the bill.<ref> {{cite news | first = Justine | last = Moore | title = Undergraduate Senate votes against divestment bill | date = 8 Mar 2013 | publisher = [[The Stanford Daily]] | url = http://www.stanforddaily.com/2013/03/05/undergraduate-senate-votes-against-divestment-bill/ | work = The Stanford Daily | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref> The SJP chapter at Stanford noted that although their resolution did not pass, the Senate passed a separate resolution that expressed the Senate's firm stance against investment in companies that cause "substantial social injury” and called for "the Advisory Panel on Investment Responsibility and Licensing to review the University’s investments to ensure compliance with the University’s Statement on Investment Responsibility."<ref name="mondo"/> |
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Stanford's BDS defeat was notably followed by two quick BDS victories at [[University of California, Riverside]] and [[University of California, San Diego]]. On March 8, 2013, substantial campaigning by SJP at [[University of California, Riverside]] (UCR) produced a victory when the Senate voted 11-5 to endorse BDS and divest from Caterpillar and Hewlett Packard.<ref name="mondo"/> The vote in support of BDS at UCR was large enough to avoid a veto by the undergraduate student body president who opposed the resolution.<ref> {{cite news | first = Larry | last = Gordon | title = UC Riverside student Senate urges divestment from firms working in West Bank | date = 8 March 2013 | publisher = [[Los Angeles Times]] | url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/03/uc-riverside-student-senate-urges-divestment-from-firms-working-in-west-bank.html | work = Los Angeles Times | accessdate = 2013-03-14}}</ref> |
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==South Florida divest== |
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===Placing BDS on the ballot=== |
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In mid-January 2013, [[University of South Florida]] SJP presented a divestment resolution which was rebuffed by the Senate President who refused to place it on the Senate floor despite several Senate sponsors. Student Government informed SJP that it had to gather 1,540 signatures to have the referendum placed on the ballot for general elections. SJP submitted petition of a non-binding resolution on February 8 with over 2,500 signatures gathered in three days which endorsed BDS and called for the divestment of corporations affiliated with human rights violations against Palestinians. |
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On February 21 — the Thursday before Election Week — SJP was notified that the referendum would not be on the ballot because of advise from a [[legal counsel]] representative. The legal counsel representative claimed USF can not take political stances and the referendum violated state statue because it was illegal for student employees to "directly or indirectly advice where a government entity spends its commodities." She also claimed it was illegal to discriminate against corporations. |
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SJP clarified that the non-binding referendum was strictly humanitarian not political. SJP also stated that student body is not composed of government employees, therefore the state statue does not apply to the non-binding student referendum. SJP made it clear it was illegal to restrict a referendum based on its content, regardless of whether it is political or not. SJP pointed out that student government had previous political referendums on the ballot including the Real Food referendum and the Health Care referendum. SJP stressed that the referendum was legal and simply an outlet to exercise their first amendment right as Americans to “freedom of speech.” Despite being pressed by SJP, the legal counsel representative did not provide where it was written that USF does not take political stances. SJP consulted [[American Civil Liberties Union]] and [[First Amendment]] lawyers from around the country who made it clear that the referendum was legal. |
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Student government ultimately decided to place the referendum on the election ballot for Election Week from February 25 to February 28. |
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===Discounting the referendum=== |
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On March 1, the student body president sent out a mass email to the entire student body minutes before the announcement of election results. He stated the referendum could not be recorded as an official student government referendum because student government violated its own bylaws in not making the referendum public and accessible 1 week before elections. But the results of the referendum were publicly announced with 2111 students in favor and 609 students opposed. |
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==Canada divestment movement== |
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On mid-November 2012, [[York University]] SAIA brought forth a resolution to divest from from Hewlett Packard, [[Northrop Grumman]], [[BAE Systems]], and [[Lockheed Martin]]. The York University Graduate Student Union voted 29-7 to endorse the resolution.<ref name="nythummus"> |
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== See also == |
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*[http://toknowisnotenough.info To Know is Not Enough] - Documentary film about divestment at Hampshire College. |
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*[http://www.bdsmovement.net/2011/depaul-sabra-hummus-7083 DePaul student referendum] - DePaul University student referendum to ban Sabra |
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*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QKqA5c0fMu4 Why we refuse to buy Sabra] - Video by DePaul students to ban Sabra |
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*[http://www.depauliaonline.com/opinions/sjp-s-sabra-campaign-was-indeed-a-victory-deserves-administrative-recognition-1.2714400#.UUD4YYZeumQ SJP’s Sabra campaign was indeed a victory, deserves administrative recognition] - DePaul student calls SJP campaign to ban Sabra victorious |
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*[http://www.facebook.com/events/167912843230487/ Facebook page of "Boycott Sabra Hummus" at Princeton University] - Princeton Committee for Palestine research on Sabra's links to human rights violations |
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*[http://www.caldivestfromapartheid.com/sb118/ UC Berkeley SB 118A] - UC Berkeley divestment bill from war crimes |
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*[http://www.scribd.com/doc/90825810/A-Bill-in-Support-of-UMass-Divestment-from-Companies-that-Profit-from-or-Provide-Material-Support-to-War-Crimes-and-or-Human-Rights-Violations University of Massachusetts Boston divestment bill] |
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*[http://www.asuci.uci.edu/legislative/legislations/print.php?cnum=R48-15&gov_branch=ASUCI UC Irvine R48-15] - UC Irvine resolution to divest from companies that profit from apartheid |
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*[http://reginasolidaritygroup.com/news/saia-response-to-agm/ University of Regina BDS resolution] |
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*[http://carletonlifeline.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/writ-of-referenda-2012.pdf Carleton University Graduate Student Association 2012 Ballot] - Carleton University divestment referendum |
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*[http://mim.io/3da172 Carleton University SIAA press release regarding referendum] |
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*[http://www.stanforddaily.com/2013/03/04/holding-stanford-accountable-ethical-investment-on-campus/ Holding Stanford Accountable Part 1] and [http://www.stanforddaily.com/2013/02/26/holding-stanford-accountable-ethical-investment-in-palestine/ Holding Stanford Accountable Part 2] - Article by SPER member explaining the criteria for divestment |
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*[http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/nora/podcast-student-activists-divestment-victory-uc-riverside UC Riverside BDS resolution and interview with SJP at UCR] |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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[[Category:Palestine]] |
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Latest revision as of 09:26, 23 April 2013
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