Lou Dobbs, the CNN anchor man who spends his entire life launching racist attacks on immigrants instead of the corporations who exploit them and pit them against other workers, came to DePaul to speak about his latest book on Weds Nov. 28, 2007.
While the DePaulia praised his "Independent thinking" and put him on their front cover, The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights organized a small protest and after asking several strong questions of Dobbs, walked out en masse from his speech. Si Se Puede!
For more pictures: Click Here
All media is allowed to reprint material off this website related the the Finkelstein and Larudee tenure cases and the DePaul student sit in for tenure under fair use guidelines.
Across the US communities are standing up to demand and end to the war in Iraq. A week long moratorium was called to coincide with General Petrarus' report to Congress. It seems like nothing can shore up support for the war. Petreaus is unable to convince the American people, Bush's ratings slip further, and even a new video from Osama Bin Laden fails to scare people in supporting Bush.
At DePaul a coalition of student groups, including DePaul Students Against the War, DePaul International Socialist Organization and the DePaul Democrats has come together to sponsor a peace week in the quad. Students lined up color coded flags to represent the number of deaths the Iraq war has caused, and lined the quad with myth-busting facts about the war. The students would also table and hand out information about what students can do to get involved to end the war.
More PicturesConfront the Horowitz Fascists with Real Facts and Truth
There is an ice sheet spreading across the campuses of America. Well-known professors have lost their jobs due to their political views. Scores, perhaps hundreds, of other professors, less well-known, have been fired, denied tenure, harassed and silenced. Critical thinking is under assault; the universities are being transformed into uncontested centers of indoctrination.
This October 22-26, America's fascists will attempt to make a further major step in this repressive process. They have declared an "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week." They are planning programs and protests at over 100 campuses, supposedly against the oppression of women under Islam and "the threat posed by the Islamic crusade against the West." In fact, their aim is to rally people behind the U.S. "crusade" against the people of the world and to shut down dissent against this crusade on the campus and, by extension, more broadly throughout society. Coming as it does at the time of continued escalation of the Iraq war and the distinct possibility of war against Iran, the danger of this cannot be underestimated. A particular objective of "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week" is to whip up reactionary sentiment and hysteria on campuses, and to provide a rallying point to further organize a fascist student movement – spreading racism, chauvinism, and intellectual conformity to reaction; hounding progressive professors and student organizations; and creating a more repressive climate on campus.
This must be confronted and opposed on every campus where it rears its head. Indeed, all people who care anything about critical thinking and academic freedom and about the issues of war, repression, racism and the oppression of women must rally together, and seek out, confront and put this whole effort on the political defensive. Horowitz’s project has to be opposed and taken as an opportunity to raise awareness of the growing danger of U.S. fascism and the reality of the fascist direction and measures being taken by those in the highest reaches of power.
What Is “Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week”?
Go online to revcom.us for more articles exposing David Horowitz, and on the fight to defend dissent and critical thinking on campuses. And watch the pages of Revolution newspaper and check revcom.us for more information leading up to the “Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week.”
The very term "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week" is an attempt to frame discussion and debate in a way that forces people to choose between U.S. imperialism’s bloody crusade on the one hand, or Islamic fundamentalism on the other. Posing these as the only choices traps people in a deadly framework and logic. It ends up strengthening both of these reactionary forces, when neither represents liberation for the people.
Islamic fundamentalism is a reactionary force. Like other brands of religious literalism, it is a program full of oppressive and outmoded content: patriarchy, bigotry, religious warfare and the all-round promotion of superstition and ignorance.
But the U.S. is the far, far more aggressive, and dangerous reactionary force in the world. And those who live inside the U.S. have the particular responsibility to oppose this power. What is needed right now, on campuses and around the country (and the world) is to bring forward a movement, and critical thinking that opposes the crimes of U.S. imperialism, and, in the process, brings forward a whole different alternative—both in the imperialist countries and in the nations oppressed by imperialism.
Horowitz is threatening sit-ins against Women’s Studies departments "to protest their silence about the oppression of women in Islam." Coming from someone who does not only support, but helps strategize with the Bush regime, this is grotesque, galling and shameless hypocrisy. This regime has taken major steps to ban not just abortion but birth control as well. And the Bush regime, and Horowitz himself, is deeply connected to their own brand of reactionary, theocratic religion: the Christian Fascist movement, which commands women to subordinate themselves to their husbands and to see their main role as breeders of children, and which has committed violence and murder against abortion providers.
Horowitz is threatening to go after "the anti-American curriculum of the tenured left" and to "teach an alternative curriculum that will arm America against the radical Jihad." In fact, Horowitz has already led attacks on professors like Ward Churchill, known mainly for his work on exposing the U.S. genocide against Native Americans, and Norman Finkelstein, known mainly for his exposure of Israel’s crimes and its hypocritical use of the Nazi Holocaust of the Jews to justify those crimes. He has published a book listing 101 "dangerous professors"—almost all of whom research and teach about the real nature of American society and whose work and views don’t "fit into" the crusade now being carried out by the U.S. government.
He is branding the Muslim Student Associations as "the enemy," and is aiming to stir up hatred and suppression against these students. He is going after the environmentalists for supposedly raising too much concern over global warming in a way that Horowitz feels detracts from the so-called "war on terror."
f this goes down unopposed, it will be very bad—it will mark a major new degree of chill on the ice age now descending on the universities. Instead, something different must emerge. This "week" must be confronted and opposed, and out of that must emerge a greatly heightened understanding of, and resistance to, the real fascist danger in this society.
People need to prepare to plunge into the coming controversy, seeking out these fascists and confronting them with the real facts and the truth, and in the process winning over many others. Students must step forward now, on every campus, and organize to politically confront and expose Horowitz' campus fascists—and to change the tone and tenor on these campuses, unleashing ferment and activism, and organized resistance.
DePaul experienced the most exciting first day of classes in a long time this September. Students still upset over DePaul denial of tenure to professor's Finkelstein and Larudee took action to rectify the situation. Students and faculty protested at the school convocation, publicly humiliating anti-Finkelstein dean of LA&S Charles Suchar.
Photos of Convocation ProtestSoon after, DePaul announced that Finkelstein would not be allowed to teach at DePaul for his final year. The school cited an alleged confrontation between Finkelstein and Suchar as the reason. Finkelstein defiantly told the Chicago Tribune that he would teach classes, and would enter his office. If DePaul tried to stop him he was willing to committ civil disobedience, go to jail, and even begin a hunger strike.
On the first day of classes, Finkelstein gave class on the lawn of the Quad, answering question from the media in the process. After class, students and faculty rallied outside the political science building, demanding academic freedom and tenure. The group of over 100 then marched around campus.
After the march students heard Finkelstein speak. Finkelstein explained that he had reached a settlement with DePaul, ending the dispute. While Finkelstein did not receive tenure, DePaul was forced to admit that the basic requirements for tenure- being a good teacher and scholar, where met by Finkelstein.
Debate has raged between student activists about the settlement. Did Finkelstein give up? Was this the best he was able to do? What implications does this have for the student movement at DePaul and Academic Freedom in the US?
One thing Finkelstein stressed though was that Professor Larudee hadn't settled and should receive tenure. Larudee has officially filed an appeal at DePaul, and students are debating what to do to support her.
The entire controversy has stirred up student activism and concerns over academic freedom, the war and Palestine. The Academic Freedom Committee will be hosting a Quarter long series of classes on academic freedom, even hosting a conference featuring experts such as Noam Chomsky, Tarik Ali and Walt Mershiemer.
DePaul Academic Freedom Committee Website
The same day DePaul reached it's settlement with Norman Finkelstein, another, though very different person left DePaul. Scott Scarborough was the executive vice-president of finances. It was be difficult to find a job position more insidious, or a person who fit the job profile more accurately.
As the person chiefly responsible for DePaul's finances Scarborough was responsible for bringing Barnes and Noble to the loop campus, forcing local coffee shop Gi-Gi's to close. He was the person who held the keys to DePaul's contracts and kept the deals in the dark, away from the students, faculty, staff, and external workers whom they affected. We approached him several times about Starbucks' illegal union-busting tactics, and Coca-Cola's murdering of union organizers in Colombia, he never lifted a finger to help us. Vincentian values indeed.
One shouldn't be surprised, Scarborough has a history of reactionary politics. Despite all of DePaul's claims about being Urban, it recruited Scarborough not from Chicago, but from Texas. According to the Daily Texan, Scarborough was actually the President of the University of Texas Austin Student Government while he was a student in the 1980's. During his tenure, a number of students proposed a gay rights bill, which would simply require the school to not discriminate against queer students. Scarborough opposed this resolution, telling the school's newspaper that since Gays were more likely to have fecal matter under their fingernails, which could spread STD's like AIDS, that preventing them from accessing certain public spaces would be legit.
Granted AIDS education has come along way since the 1980's, but even then it was known that AIDS transmission isn't that easy, and besides, there are plenty of straight people with AIDS, or who don't know how to wipe their butt properly and end up with fecal matter under their fingernails. Did Scarborugh still have these ideas at DePaul? How did DePaul's Queer community feel about this? I left copies of the relevant newspaper articles with leaders of DePaul's queer community. As far as I know they never followed up on the issue. I'm not sure why.
When the bill came to a vote in the Texas student government, Scarborough actually led a walk-out of conservative members to attempt to prevent quorum. They failed and the bill passed.
Then there are the rumors. You would think that someone so anti-gay would believe in family values and not want to do anything that would upset his white picket fence nuclear family fantasy. A number of reliable sources have told me that despite being married, Scarborough had an affair with a woman who worked in DePaul's General Counsel office. Lots of people have extra-marital affairs though, and it's not something I'm willing to condemn as I believe marriage is an outdated institution, but Scarborough got this woman pregnant according to my sources. Paid her off to keep quiet, and DePaul's administration turned a blind eye. Nothing quite like Christian hypocrisy on family values, right Mark Foley?
Now granted Scarborugh was hired under Fr. Minogue, and Minogue, besides being a Gynecologist, well there are rumors about him and maids as well. It seems as though Holtschneider is still cleaning house from Minogue's era. I wonder what will happen to those poor tigers.
So now the question is who will take Scarborough's place? Maybe it will be an arch-Finkelstein who will block any attempts to boycott the apartheid state of Israel. Maybe it will be a friendly liberal face who talks and talks, but when push comes to shove supports the corporations against the people. One way or the other, we should demand that all administration positions are appointed by a democratic vote among students, faculty and staff.
Of course, anyone willing to clarify these assertions, (Scott?) is welcome to visit www.depaulasu.net and e-mail asudepaul@yahoo.com
At noon on June 25th, 2007, 5 DePaul students began a hunger fast to oppose the DePaul administration's attempts to deny tenure to Professor's Finkelstein and Larudee. They plan on making their presence known in the student center over the next several days and are calling on Thursday the 28th to be an international day of solidarity for all to hunger strike in support of tenure for these two courageous professors.
A showdown is brewing. DePaul faculty council, which represents all the faculty at DePaul, and the Faculty Governance Council, which represents the LA&S faculty, both decided, overwhelmingly, to allow Professor's Finkelstein and Larudee to appeal their tenure denials. The administration is claiming that there is no appeal process for cases like this. Who is right?
To answer that we have to look at the faculty handbook. While the section on tenure doesn't discuss an appeal to the President's decision, a section on contracts does discuss appeal a termination. The language of that section is a little vague though. It refers to a termination of a contract, so it's validity to this case depends on whether you consider the tenure track and tenure one single contract or two separate. It's likely that the school will argue that they are two separate contracts.
It may not matter what the administration argues though.
There were serious inconsistencies with the tenure process. The way the school brought in extraneous evidence into the tenure process is a troubling issue. Fr. Holtschneider accuses Prof. Finkelstein of ad hominum attacks on his colleagues and behavior that is not in accordance with Vincentian Personalism. This is troubling because the tenure process is not the process to determine whether or not a candidate has engaged in such behavior. Even if such behavior was admissible to the tenure process, it would have to be proven in a separate process. For example Thomas Klocek faced a harassment board which asked him to remedy certain issues, which he did not. When his contract was under review, they looked at how he did not meet those standards and decided not to renew his contract. Never before was Finkelstein notified that he was being ad hominum or uncollegial or non-Vincentian. Not even in his yearly tenure reviews.
Also it's important to note that this is a case of the administration seeking to extricate, remove, or at best marginalize, the faculty's voice in regards the tenure process. With Finkelstein, the best support he received came from his colleagues. The Political Science department wanted him as one of their tenured friends, and voted 9-3 to have him inducted into the club. The college of LA&S tenure review board voted 5-0 to approve tenure. Altogether, Finkelstein received 16-7 votes in favor of tenure. Larudee was also overwhelmingly popular among her colleagues. She was supposed to be the chair of the International Studies Department next year. Likely her vote was 17-6.
None of this faculty support mattered to the administration though. When Fr. Holtschneider met with students, he explained to them that the votes did not matter to him, what mattered was the reasoning behind them. Who decides what is and isn't good reasoning though? Reasoning is a subjective thing. I don't find it all to convincing that the universe was created by a magical sky wizard in 7 days. Nor do I find it convincing that Sacco and Vanzetti were murderers, and I don't find the anti-Finkelstein and anti-Larudee arguments convincing either.
What I do find convincing is the idea of democracy, and grassroots power. The decision for tenure should not rest with a dictator like Fr. Holtschneider. It should rest with the faculty and students who make up the tenure review committees and make democratic decisions on the issue.
What next? What should faculty do? Many faculty will try to stay out of the issue and say "I don't know enough about the case," unless it becomes an issue over their power. The AAUP has clear guideline on shared governance which DePaul is violating in it's rush to stamp out academic freedom. Faculty will defend these rights. What we should push is more than simply tenure for two professors, but for the faculty, and students to be the final word on who receives tenure and who does not. That means stripping the president of those powers to decide. This would be a monumental step. To reach that it means the the faculty should go through with the appeal next fall. When the administration refuses to recognize it, the faculty must not budge in their demands. They will have to try different ways to route the administration out of office, and to seize the means to grant tenure themselves in regards to funds, etc. They might want to consider going on strike, even if it's a one day or one week strike. All of this might lead to forming a faculty union or even turning the University into a cooperative where faculty, students and staff own and operate the school in a democratic fashion.
Memebers of Iraq Veterans Against the War brought "Operation First Casualty" to Chicago on Monday June 17th. "Operation First casuality" is street theater with an anti-war message. Since truth is the first casualty of war, the veterans wanted to show the people of Chicago the truth of the Iraq war, by acting out different scenerios on the city streets and at different locations. They detained actors acting as Iraqi civilians out side of Boeing (the worlds 2nd largest arms manufacturer) and the federal building.
One of the places they acted in front of was teh new army recruiting center in the University Center Chicago building. The super-dorm houses students from DePaul, Columbia and Roosevelt in a south loop location. The Recruitment center has come under target by local anti-war activists and now has to face IRaq war veterans who show the truth of what new recruits can expect.
Graduation is usually a time for celebration and pompous speeches. That was not the case this year at DePaul. Following Fr. Holtschneider's denial of tenure to Professor's Finkelstein and Larudee, students decided to make this years graduation a bit more exciting.
At the Liberal Arts and Sciences ceremony, several students wore t-shirts or sashes that proclaimed their support for Finkelstein and Larudee. Two large banners hung from the balconey of the allstate arena demanding tenure. When Fr. Holtschneider gave the closing speech, he was interrupted by chants of "Tenure! Tenure! Tenure!"
The ceremony capped a week of student activism around the issue. While students will be out of session for the summer, it is expected that the issue will still be burning next fall. The faculty council has agreed to allow an appeal to Finkelstein and Larudee on their tenure, despite the objections of the administration. It is likely that students will be active on the issue in the fall.
NBC News Coverage of the Graduation Protests
In the week since Professor's Norman Finkelstein and Marueen Larudee were denied tenure by DePaul University, a lot has happened. Feeling that the two progressive faculty members were being targeted because of their political views critical of US and Israeli foreign policy, many took action. Students met with President of the school Fr. Holtschneider, and unhappy with his rationalizations, they sat in his office for 3 days and 2 nights before being kicked out under threat of arrest and expulsion. Community members joined a rally to support academic freedom and the Faculty Council and Administrative Faculty Council held meetings which affirmed that DePaul did not follow the tenure process according to the faculty handbook and authorizing an appeal to the professor's denied tenure.
What is becoming clearer over time is the behind the scenes role played by those who should not have a say in the tenure process. It should be a faculty and student decision, but more and more we are seeing evidence of interference by those with political agendas.
While many people are aware that Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz and apologist for Israeli torture tactics, has been lobbying to prevent Finkelstein from receiving tenure, few are aware of some of the details of his influence at DePaul. Dershowitz has claimed in print that his involvement in DePaul's tenure process was a result of being asked into it by Patrick Callahan, the former Political Science department chair. In student's meeting with Fr. Holtschneider though, Holtschneider explained that Dershowitz was inviting himself into the tenure process by e-mailing and asking Holtschneider for a meeting. Holtschneider explained to us that he didn't even read the letters but instead handed them over to DePaul's general council.
It's becoming clear though that Dershowitz's influence at DePaul might go above Holtschneider.
The director of DePaul's Board of Trustee's is a lawyer, John Simon, who works for the law firm Jenner and Block. Jenner and Block has ties to anti-Finkelstein groups like the Jewish United Fund. In fact 50 lawyers with the firm attended a fund raiser for the group, featuring keynote speaker Alan Dershowitz. Recently the Jewish United Fund released a press statement praising DePaul's decision to deny tenure to Finkelstein.
This raises troubling questions. Did John Simon meet with Dershowitz to discuss the Finkelstein tenure case? How much money do anti-Finkelstein groups like the Jewish United Fund donate to DePaul and how much of an influence does this have on a tenure process which is supposed to be independent of the corrupting influence of money? How much influence does the Board of Trustee's have over the tenure process? I am e-mailing both John Simon and Alan Dershowitz with these questions today. Stay tuned for their responses.
Today (June 13, 2007) is day three of our pursuit to seek academic freedom and an overturn on the decision of denial of tenure for both Finkelstein and Larudee, a group of about 40 of us, students and some faculty were asked to leave the conference room adjacent to DePaul President Fr. Dennis Holtschneider's office at 5: 00p.m.
The day before Fr. Holtshneider said we can say as long as we wanted. When the Dean of students and DePaul's Public Safety asked us to leave we refused and demanded a written request, why they are asking us to leave explicitly, what we should do, and what would be the consequences if we refused. They would not write up the request and when we asked for the consequences they kept telling us to refer to the student handbook.
As we made our way out of the room we occupied the suite, and again asked to leave, we were threatened with expulsion and arrest for faculty and alumni.
We will be continuing the sit in tomorrow in the Lincoln Park campus student center, we will be spending the night. We will not give up. Thank you for all your help and support.
In Solidarity,
Samar
"We will not retreat one thousandth of one inch"
~Norman Finkelstein
DePaul students, continuing thier sit-in of DePaul President Fr. Holtschneiders office, continued to call for tenure for Finkelstein and Larudee. They held a rally today, Wednesday June 13th at 11:00 am. The Faculty Council is holding an emergency session at 2:00 pm and according to the Chicago Sun Times may vote on a no confidence measure against DePaul. The administration has told the students that they are to leave the President's office at 5:00 pm tonight. It is unclear what the students plan on doing.
Click here for pictures from the rally
Download Finkelstein's Statement to the Rally: Download
Download Students for Justice in Palestine Statement: Download
Download Statement from students occupying Fr. Holtschneider's office: Download
Continuing an uphill battle with the DePaul University administration, student and community groups will gather at 55 E. Jackson (Jackson and Wabash) tomorrow 13 June 2007 at 11 a.m. for a rally, in a plan to escalate pressure on the nation's largest Catholic university. The protest is in support of academic freedom, as well as tenure for Professors Norman Finkelstein and Mehrene Larudee. Students have been sitting in the executive offices of DePaul President Fr. Dennis Holtschneider since Monday morning at 9:00 a.m.
Upset over DePaul's denial of tenure to Professors Finkelstein and Larudee, and after a meeting between 30 student leaders and Fr. Holtschneider, students have taken action to defend academic freedom, under attack by the university administration. While the students presented Fr. Holtschneider with a petition of over 700 signatures calling for the reversal of the decision and questioned the legitimacy of the university's process, the DePaul President flatly rejected their demands and insisted that he would not reevaluate his position. Up until this point, the university has accommodated the sit-in, though informed the students that they must abandon by 5:00 p.m. tomorrow. The students are determined to hold their ground.
The faculty and students will be meeting tomorrow to discuss the appeals process and future steps. The organizations that have called for this protest include DePaul student organizations Students for Justice in Palestine, DePaul Students Against the War, Society for International Affairs, Model United Nations, Campaign to End the Death Penalty, as well as outside groups Palestine Solidarity Committee, Council on American Islamic Relations, and International Socialist Organization.
More information can be found at http://www.finkelgate.com
Media Contact: Victor Lang�(312) 576-1888
WHO: Student groups, community organizations, and all others�in solidarity with�DePaul Students Supporting Academic Freedom.
WHERE: 55 East Jackson (corner of Wabash and Jackson, downtown Chicago), Executive Offices of DePaul University.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 13th, at 11 AM.
WHY: To pressure�President Holtschneider to reverse his�decision to deny tenure to Professors Finkelstein and Larudee.
DePaul University recently acted to deny tenure to Professors Norman Finkelstein and Mehrene Larudee. Both professors are widely respected in their areas of study and have consistently amassed positive ratings from their students over the course of their professorial engagements. It is widely believed that the two professors were denied tenure solely based on their political views and specifically as a result of intrusive pressure from pro-Israeli parties, including Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz.
Outraged DePaul students have taken action to defend academic freedom, which is currently under attack at the nation?s largest Catholic institution. After an unsuccessful meeting with DePaul President Fr. Dennis Holtschneider, where their demands were ignored, DePaul students are continuing their sit-in indefinitely at the President?s office.
?This will be an ongoing effort. �If you are unable to come�on June 13th�we encourage you to come throughout the week,? said DePaul student organizer�Bitta Mostofi.� ?We ask the community to come and show solidarity with the students who are sitting-in for academic freedom at DePaul by rallying outside of the building.?
On Wednesday, June 13, 2007, the Faculty Council will meet, in emergency session, with the University?s Vice President to discuss the option of appeal, which the University has already denied to both professors.� The DePaul students have been told that they must leave the offices by 12 Noon on Wednesday.
If you have any questions, queries or comments, please feel free to call DePaul student Victor Lang at�312-576-1888�or email victor.lang22@gmail.com. See updated information at�http://chicago.indymedia. org/�and www.finkelgate.com.
Picket convened by: DePaul Students Supporting Academic Freedom, Students for Justice for Finkelstein-DePaul, Students for Justice in Palestine-DePaul, UIC Students for Social Justice, and Wright College Students for Peace and Justice; plus community organizations including�the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)-Chicago, Arab American Action Network (AAAN),�Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism, Council On American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Chicago, Palestine Solidarity Group (PSG)-Chicago, and the Southwest Youth Collaborative.
Dear friends and supporters of academic freedom at DePaul,
I am currently writing you with 7 others from the conference room to DePaul President Fr. Dennis Holtschneider's office, in support of Professors Finkelstein and Larudee. A couple of us are asleep, its kindof cute to see people sleeping underneath the tables (the lights are still on - we're still sortof working).
EVERYONE, PLEASE COME TODAY!
Who: DePaul Students supporting academic freedom
Where: 22nd Floor, 55 East Jackson, Executive Offices of DePaul University
What: Sit-in solidarity meeting
When: Every day from 8AM-6PM
Why: To reverse President Holtschneider's decision
Yesterday (11 June 2007) a group of students occupied the conference room to President Holtschneider's office and met with him at 3:00 PM. 30 concerned student leaders issued a series of demands regarding Professor Finkelstein and Larudee's tenure processes. The President indicated that his decision was based on the faculty's decision, and that he would not reverse it. After a long emotional but finally disappointing discussion with President Holtschneider, we indicated that we intend to remain in the building until our demands have been met, and that we were in communication with various media outlets and other ancillary organizations. The President is allowing us to stay in the building. Please join us in our organized effort to reverse the decision in the name of academic freedom.
Today (12 June 2007) and for the rest of the week, we are planning a series of activities to express solidarity for academic freedom, and in particular the tenure of Profs. Finkelstein and Larudee. There will be people in the conference room at all times to maintain our presence here. We understand that it is finals week and people are busy, but please sit with us as often as you can to offer your support. If you cannot remain in the Loop, please help us mobilize support in Lincoln Park by flyering the campus to generate publicity. If you plan to come please bring stationary if you can. We intend to make a number of posters to decorate the conference room as a gesture of our intention to remain here until we have been satisfied.
It is imperative that more people step up tonight and take over the night shift!
Thank you for all your help and support! If you have any questions, queries or comments, please feel free to email me here or call me at 312-576-1888. Please find our press release here: http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/78085/index.php.
In peace and solidarity,
Victor
Matt
Andrea
Buddy
Charile
Susana
Justin
Daniel
and the really nice public safey ppl, namely Christle, hanging out with us
Who: DePaul Students supporting academic freedom Where: 22nd Floor, 55 East Jackson, Executive Offices of DePaul University What: Sit-in solidarity meeting When: Every day from 8AM-6PM Why: To reverse President Holtschneider?s decision
Yesterday we occupied the conference room to President Holtschneider?s office and met with him at 3:00 PM. We issued our complaints regarding Professor Finkelstein and Larudee?s tenure processes. The President indicated that his decision was based on the faculty?s decision, and that he would not reverse the decision. We issued a series of demands, including the reversal of the decision as well as extensions for finals, both of which were rejected. We indicated that we intend to remain in the building until our demands have been met, and that we were in communication with various media outlets and other ancillary organizations. The President is allowing us to stay in the building. Please join us in our organized effort to reverse the decision in the name of academic freedom.
Today we are planning a number of activities to express solidarity for Finkelstein and Larudee. It is imperative that we maintain people in the building at all times to maintain our presence here. We understand that it is finals week and people are busy, but please sit with us as often as you can to offer your support. If you cannot remain in the Loop, please help us mobilize support in Lincoln Park by flyering the campus to generate publicity. If you plan to come please bring stationary if you can. We intend to make a number of posters to decorate the conference room as a gesture of our intention to remain here until we have been satisfied. Additionally, eight of us remained in the building all of last night to maintain our presence here. It is imperative that more people step up tonight and stay until Wednesday morning.
For more information, contact Victor Lang at 312-576-1888 or vlang@gfecinc.com
 |
| The 8 Students who stayed overnight. |
At about 3:00 pm on Monday June 11, 2007, about 30 DePaul students who wanted tenure for DePaul professors Finkelstein and Larudee, met with President of DePaul, Fr. Holtschneider. Students had been sitting-in the conference room in the president's office since 8:30 am that morning. DePaul public safety had been alerted to the student's plans and was waiting for the students. No threats of arrest or retaliation have been made, in fact the school brought us snacks and drinks.
Holtschneider expressed how proud he was that as involved students we were willing to meet with him and push forward with our views. After introductions, the students presented Holtschneider with a list of petitions, including close to 800 signatures supporting tenure for Finkelstein. After that we began with our criticisms of the tenure process and questions for Holtschneider.
Click to read the entire story.On Friday June 8, 2007, President of DePaul University, Fr. Holtschneider, told Norman Finkelstein in a four page letter, that he would not receive tenure. Despite his impressive resume of positive student evaluations, peer reviewed books and positive votes at the department and college level, Holtschneider cited the University tenure board decision in denying tenure. Holtschneider also cited ad hominum attacks from Finkelstein on his colleagues as basis for denying tenure.
This is troubling on many levels. Finkelstein had yearly reviews and never before had Vincentian values or ad hominum attacks been cited as issues of concern. Also of concern is that the DePaul faculty handbook required professors to be alerted in the University tenure board voted against them, Finkelstein was not alerted.
;The University has come under sustained pressure from pro-Israel groups who have slandered Finkelstein because of his criticism of Israel policies in occupied Palestine. Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz had been interfering in DePaul?s internal tenure process.
Finkelstein was not the only professor denied tenure. Other professors who were vocally supportive of Finkelstein were denied tenure. Mehrene Larudee, a professor in international studies who received unanimous votes at the faculty and college level, was denied tenure. Alex Papadopoulas was also denied tenure. It is unknown which other progressive faculty members were denied tenure.
Some have speculated that the school is padding itself from criticism by letting many professors go, so that it can claim that it wasn?t on a vendetta against Finkelstein. Others worry of a purge of other faculty who voted for Finkelstein in the faculty and college levels.
Students will be meeting tomorrow to decide a course of action. They are particularly upset as they had rallied for Finkelstein outside of his meeting with the University tenure board and had been collecting petitions in support of Finkelstein?s tenure.
It is likely that the faculty denied tenure will appeal to the faculty council. It is unknown if lawsuits will arise out of this situation. Typically faculty are offered a one year contract after being denied tenure to find another job.
While it would be easy to become depressed at this news, we should remember that the repression on DePaul?s campus is miniscule compared to what the Palestinian people have been subjected to. We should also keep in mind that this is far from settled. Stay tuned to www.depaulasu.net and www.normanfinkelstein.com for updates. Letters can be sent to President@depaul.edu.
Text by Fatima Arain, Photos by Jessi Ernst
Studies have shown that between 1/6 - 1/4 of college aged women has been a victim of sexual assault during their college years. DePaul is not immune!
There are ZERO resources at DePaul exclusively for sexual assault survivors on campus. UIC has an entire center and Loyola has a coordinator and a peer education and training program.
A few years ago, concerned students submitted a proposal to get a Sexual Assault/Intimate Partner Violence Coordinator hired. Instead, a taskforce that has met only ONCE this year was created. The proposal was resubmitted last year, and largely ignored.
RISE was created last year to create awareness about sexual assault on campus. We created an extensive website as a basic resource for students, conduct workshops for dorms, fraternities, and classes, and have met with many administrators to talk about the issue. Our latest attempt to convince the University of the severity of this issue was a letter campaign in which 300 letters from students and faculty were sent to the President, asking for a resource coordinator position to be created.
We cannot be patient for much longer. We are holding a sit-in, and the more people that attend, the more powerful message we will send to the University.
Be a part of the change and help us make a real and significant difference at DePaul.
After the Sit-Out:
I want to congratulate everyone on a doing a really great job at the sit-in on Wednesday [May 23, 2007] and Thursday!
Thanks to all of you, we passed out over 1200 flyers, camped out in front of the student center all night, talked to countless students, faculty, admin, and community members, and gave voice to survivors of sexual assault on campus! In 28 hours, we educated SO many people about this important issue Thank you!!
We also met with Jim Doyle, VP of Student Affairs, and Cindy Summers. Jim Doyle promised us that this issue would be resolved by June 15th at the latest. Cindy Summers gave us a verbal agreement of figuring out a way to create a sexual assault resource coordinator position. Although we did not get EXACTLY what we wanted on Thursday, we are well on our way!!!
We are meeting with Jim Doyle and Cindy Summers once again on Wednesday, May 30 to discuss the issue further. I will keep everyone posted on what comes of this meeting. Thanks again everyone!!!! You are all a part of making DePaul a safer environment for everyone!
(please forward this along so people can be aware of whats going on!! THANKS!!!)
SJP commemorates the 59th anniversary of Nakba by hosting a Die-In, to raise awareness.
Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe (1948)
Every year Palestinians commemorate the Nakba ("the catastrophe"): the expulsion and dispossession of hundreds of thousands Palestinians from their homes and land in 1948. In 1948 more than 60 percent of the total Palestinian population was expelled. More than 530 Palestinian villages were depopulated and completely destroyed. To date, Israel has prevented the return of approximately six million Palestinian refugees, who have either been expelled or displaced. Approximately 250,000 internally displaced Palestinian second-class citizens of Israel are prevented from returning to their homes and villages.
(Photos and Text Courtesy of Samar Damra and Students for Justice in Palestine.) Click for more photos.
Over 40 DePaul students gathered on Friday April 13th to show thier support for Norman Finkelstein. Finkelstein met with the University Tenure review board at 5:00 in the LA&S Dean's office. Finkelstein is a popular professor at DePaul whose tenure bid is being opposed by right-wing groups and pro-Israel spokespeople like Alan Dershowitz. Despite that, Finkelstein's quality teaching, excellent scholarly books and service to the University earned him a 9-3 vote in favor of tenure in the DePaul University Political Science Department and a 5-0 unanimous vote in favor of tenure from the School of LA&S tenure review board. Despite those decisions, the dean of LA&S, Charles Suchar, recommended against Finkelstein's tenure.
Finkelstein met with the University tenure review board at 5:00 pm but students arrived in the hallway outside the LA&S dean's office on the 4th floor of 990 W. Fullerton beginning at 3:00 pm. They made signs that read, "Listen to DePaul, not Dershowitz", "wink for fink", "Finkelstein is the Reason I Attended DePaul." as well as quote from John Stuart Mill's "On Liberty." Students also wore stickers that said, "Students for Finkelstein." Students also wore t-shirts with Finkelstein's face on them and one student made a shirt that read, "Support Academic Freedom, Give Finkelstein Tenure."
Dean of students, Greg Macvarish, said that the demonstration was an "appropriate" way for students to show their voices. When Finkelstein entered the meeting, students cheered loudly and clapped to show their support before chanting, "Tenure, tenure, tenure." Many students waited until after 6:00 pm until the meeting ended, cheering as Finkelstein left the meeting. It is not known when or what the review board's decision will be but many are optimistic that Finkelstein will obtain tenure. According to the tenure process at DePaul, the University Tenure Review board will issue it's recommendation, Provost Helmut Epp will issue his recommendation, before President Fr. Holtschneider makes a decision before June 15.
Click here for more pictures of the Pro-Finkelstein Demonstration.
On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian Political Prisoners, Students for Justice in Palestine--DePaul, DePaul Students Against the War (DSAW), and the Palestine Solidarity Group-Chicago present a political forum and discussion: "Palestine in American Discourse: Conflict in Academia and Media"
WHEN: Tuesday, April 17th, at 7 PM
WHERE: DePaul University's Lincoln Park Campus
Student Center Room 314B
2250 N. Sheffield Ave.
Azza Salama Layton , Assistant Professor in the Political Science Department at DePaul University, will speak on her colleague Norman Finkelstein's battle for tenure at DePaul.š As most know, Finkelstein is a tireless academic and writer who is highly critical of the policies of the Israeli state.š His department voted in favor of his tenure, and a collegewide faculty panel also backed the bid, but the dean of DePaul is opposing it, according to the articles linked below.š Many believe that Finkelstein's politicsšare at the root of this potential tenure battle, and Dr. Layton will be addressing thisšissue of attacks on academic freedom.
Also, Bill Chambers, a memberšof the Palestine Solidarity Group-Chicago, will discuss the PSG's campaign to boycott the Chicago Sun-Times ( boycottsuntimes.org)šfor its virulently racist and pro-Israel columns,šreporting, and editorials.
Forš more information, please email info@psgchicago.org or sjp_depaul@yahoo.com.
Norman Finkelstein is a popular professor at DePaul's political science department. He is easily one of the most popular teachers on campus and his writings on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict are world famous.
Finkelstein is up for tenure this year. In the fall quarter he received a positive recommendation from the Political Science Department, 9-3. Winter quarter he received a unanimous, 5-0 recommendation from the College of LA&S tenure review board. However the Dean of LA&S, Charles Suchar has opposed his tenure bid. This Spring quarter Finkelstein will be reviewed by the University tenure review board, the provost of the University, and ultimately President Holtschneider will decide whether or not Finkelstein recieves tenure.
Finkelstein's tenure bid has come under attack by outside right wing groups who wish to silence critics of Isreali human rights abuses. We are asking DePaul students, faculty, staff, administration and concerned community members to show their support for academic freedom, human rights, and a great teacher.
Print this Petition and pass it around your class, dorm, etc. When it is full of signatures, or to volunteer for the petition schedule, contact the petition coordinators: Sarah at salikhan2@gmail.com, Kathryn at kathrynweberus@gmail.com or Kyle at kyleijichi@yahoo.com
On Friday April 13, Finkelstein meets with the University Tenure
review board. We are encouraging students to attend to show their
support for Finkelstein. The meeting will be at the LA&S Dean's
office on the 4th floor of 990 W. Fullerton. Be there at 3 pm.
Print and Distribute Fliers for the meeting: Half Sheets Full Sheets
Also check out the Tenure Forum:
When: Thursday, April 12, 5pm
Where: Munroe Hall, First Floor (It's a combination of the two large meeting rooms - past vending machines)
Who: Prof. Anne Bartlett (ENG), President of DePaul Faculty Council
& Prof. Roshanna Sylvester (HST), Faculty Handbook Committee
co-chair.
Why: To answer questions about the tenure/promotion process.
Any questions, contact Joe Torchedio (jtorched@students.depaul.edu)
Finkelstein's Website has posted articles about the tenure controversy.
Peter Kirstein blog with info on Finkelstein case.Support Norman Finkelstein group on Facebook.
Finkelgate.com petition to support Finkelstein.
Members of DePaul Students Against the War joined with activists from all over the Chicago area to demand that Boeing, the world's second largest arm manufacturer whose corporate headquarters is in Chicago, get out of the war business or get out of Chicago!
The theme of the protest was "breaking up with Boeing" and anti-war activists were encouraged to submit their favorite break-up songs to be played on a mix tape at the protest.
For more pictures see Chicago Indymedia.
Joining with the ANSWER coalition, about a dozen members of DePaul Students Against the War marched on the Pentagon on March 17, 2007. They rode buses to Washington DC and marched with their banners and signs reading, "Militarization is Anti-feminist", "DePaul Students Resist War and Empire" and "All I want is Peace on Earth."
There were over 25,000 people in Washington, and over 50,000 in LA protesting the war that day.
Come out to the March on Michigan Ave march 20th!
March 20th?s Student and Youth Bloc will be kicking off the party at 4 pm at the University Center superdorm (state and Harrison) and leaving to meet up with the main march against the war at 5 pm (24 W. Walton Street). We?ll be protesting the new military recruitment center entering the world?s largest college dorm. Walk out, link up, and march against the militarization of youth.
For more photos from DC: Click HereFollowing the massive peace march on Washington in January sponsored by United for Peace and Justice, the anti-war movement is gearing up for the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq with massive protests.
On March 17 the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism coalition will sponsor a massive march on the heart of American Imperialism, the Pentagon. This march will also be occuring on the 40th anniversary of the history 1967 SDS march on the pentagon. Buses will be leaving Chicago. A contingent of DePaul Students Against the War will be attending and you can get involved by emailing depaulnowar@yahoo.com or ordering your ticket at Chicago ANSWER
Then on March 20, join thousands of Chicagoans as we march down the magnificent mile, Michigan Ave. Sponsored by the March 20 Coaliton the permitted rally and march will assemble at the Ogden Elementary School parking lot (24 W. Walton Street) at 6 PM, with a march down Michigan Ave. beginning at 7:30 PM, with an 8:30 PM rally at Daley Plaza.
The DePaul chapter of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty will be hosting events this whole week to oppose Capital Punishment. They kicked off the week with a display in the atruim and a press conference which introduced legislation to abolish the Death Penalty in Illinois.
The Press conference featured DePaul law professor Andrea Lyons and former death row inmates Darby Tilbis and DIlbert Tibbs. Il. State Senators Hendon, Hunter and Raul were present and explained why they were supporting Senate bill 328 which would end capital punishment in Il. and resentence those already on death row.
Click here for more photos from the Press conference.
Try and make it to these other important events! (Taken from the CEDP DePaul Facebook.)
February 28- Steve Bogira (Author of Courtroom 302 and writer for
the Chicago Reader) He will be speaking about the death penalty, the
Cook County Criminal Justice System, and what he witnessed in Courtroom
302. He will also be signing books after his speech.
6:00 PM
Basement Floor of Barnes and Noble,br/>
1 East Jackson Blvd.
March 2- Witness to an Execution (Rev. Carroll Pickett, Barbara
Becnel, and others)
Rev. Carroll Pickett is the former death house chaplain at the Walls
Unit in Huntsville from 1982-1995. Pickett ministered to 95 on the
final day of their lives and was present in the chamber during their
executions. He is now an outspoken activist against the death penalty.
He provides a first hand account of the execution of Carlos DeLuna in
his book, Within These Walls. According to the Chicago Tribune, new
evidence suggests the May 1989 execution of Carlos DeLuna in Texas was
a case of mistaken identity.
Barbara Becnel spearheaded the fight to stop the execution of Stan
Tookie Williams. She was an advocate for and close collaborator with
Stan, having co-authored a series of anti-gang books with him. Barbara
was present in the witness room when Stan was executed in December of
last year. In this interview, Barbara recounts this experience and
reflects on the political motivations of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in
denying clemency for Stan.
A panel discussion after the event with Rev. Carroll Pickett and two
writers from the Chicago Tribune. This past summer there was a 3 part
investigation into the case of Carlos DeLuna. The Chicago Tribune found
that the execution of Carlos DeLuna was almost certainly a case of
mistaken identity, and thus, would make it the execution of an innocent
man.
7 P.M.
Cortelyou Commons
2324 N. Fremont Street
>On February 26, 28, and March 1st, we will be having a display in the Atrium of the Student Center in Lincoln Park. It is quite extensive and I would definitely recommend students to stop by and check it out. If not, I will have everything in the display at the event on March 2nd, including a replica electric chair.
Who: Come hear Dr. Maurice Carney, Executive Director of Friends of the Congo, sponsored by DePaul Students Against the War.
What: Speak on the conflict that has already claimed over Four million Congolese since 1998 and yet gone unnoticed by much of the western media.
Why: This war is driven by U.S. interest in the Congo?s vast mineral wealth. The American Government and corporations are supporting the rebels in order to gain access to minerals.
The latest issue of DSAW's zine has been released. Clocking in with 50 pages of hard hitting news, anaylsis and vegan recipes, "Raise the Fist" will shake things up. DSAW printed 400 copies, which should be available soon.
100 copies were pre-printed for release at the DSAW ZIne Release party on Jan 19th, 2007. Featuring bands The Glow of 1804, Tom Frampton and the Framptone and Behold! the concert rocked.
Photos from the Release show.
The zine is available online in 2 seperate word documents.
Download here: Part 1
Download here: Part 2
or on revolver webpage
As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict rages on with relatively new leadership on both sides, we are led to ask what has become a perennial yet only more urgent question will this conflict ever be resolved in a way that will finally bring peace to the region? Noted expert on the topic and the son of Palestinians who fled the country in 1948, Ali Abunimah makes the radical argument that what is needed is one state shared by Palestinians and Israelis in his new book, ONE COUNTRY: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse (Metropolitan Books; November 2006).
Clear-eyed, sharply reasoned, and compassionate, ONE COUNTRY revives an old and neglected idea of sharing the country. Although living together might seem impossible, Abunimah shows how Israelis and Palestinians are by now so intertwined geographically and economically that no kind of separation can lead to the security Israelis need or the rights Palestinians must have. He reveals the bankruptcy of the two-state approach, takes on the objections and taboos that stand in the way of a binational solution, demonstrates that sharing the territory will bring benefits for all, and asserts that the country can remain a homeland for both Jews and Palestinians. The absence of any other workable option can only lead to ever-greater extremism; it is time, Abunimah suggests, for Palestinians and Israelis to imagine a different future and a different relationship.
About the Author: Ali Abunimah, a Palestinian-American, is the cofounder and editor of the Electronic Intifada website since 2001 and, more recently, of Electronic Iraq and Electronic Lebanon. A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Chicago, he has written for the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times. A resident of Chicago, he also directs research for the design of children's services in the United States and Europe.
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2007,
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: DePaul University, Schmitt Academic Center (SAC)
Street: 2320 N. Kenmore Ave.
City:Chicago, IL
Critical Mass is the monthly bike ride that promotes alternatives to car culture. In cities around the world, thousands of bike riders mass up and ride together, taking over the streets, letting snobby SUV drivers know that the streets belong to those who can pedal!
DePaul Students Against the War member Raechel made an audio documentary called "The Revolution Will Not be Motorized" covering the phnomenom of Critical Mass. The documentary looks at the positive progressive elements of the bike ride as well as putting forward a progressive anti-racist/anti-sexist critique of the ways the ride could improve itself.
You can download the audio documentary Here or at the Revolver website.
In Chicago, Critical Mass meets the last Friday of every month in Daley plaza. Chicago Critical Mass Website.
David Horowitz, the right-wing lunatic known for his rants against reparations, Palestinians, Feminists, etc came to DePaul to talk about silencing them, in the name of free speech. He defended Thomas Klocek, the adjuct professor who was let go from DePaul following an incident where he shouted at, and harassed members of Students for Justice in Palestine and United Muslims Moving Ahead. In his speech, Horowitz continued to defame them, calling them "jew-hating hamas supporters."
Among those there to counter Horowitz and Klocek were Ann Russo the director of the Women studies department, who explained the high academic and scholarly standards they have, and Fr. James Halstead, director of the religious studies department, who took issue with Horowitz saying that DePaul is not Catholic. (As he explained later at a bar, Horowitz is not a Catholic and here he is telling that what Catholic means is intolerant, racist, sexist, etc) One graduate even attempted to have Horowitz sign a statement in defense of the free speech of the Vagina Monologues and another in defnse of Norman Finkelstein. Horowitz showed his double standard when he refused to sign either.
More info about the history of academic freedom at DePaul.
Feminists In Action has produced a zine containing stories about the stuggle for gender equality and the abolition of patriarchy. You can pick up a hard copy at the Women's Center (3rd floor of the student center) or download a digital copy Here or on the Revolver site.
Calling all Cunts, Vaginas, and passionate female identified people! This year marks the 6th anniversary of the Vagina Monolgues at DePaul University and WE WANT YOU to be a cunt.
Open auditions for the 2007 production will be on the following dates in the DePaul Women's Center Room 306. NO EXPEREIENCE REQUIRED but MUST BE FEMALE IDENTIFIED:
Monday November 6th, 6:30-10:30pm
Tuesday November 7th, 6:30-10:30pm
Wednsday November 8th, 9:30-11:30pm
Performance dates (if you are auditioning please make a note)
Saturday February 10th, 8pm
Sunday February 11th, 3pm and 8pm
If you would like to sign up for an audition slot please stop by the Women's Center, room 306 of the Student Center to pick a time and date. Auditon sign ups will be available on Monday October 30th and scrips will be available the night of auditions.
If you have any questions or inquiries, please email the directors at: vday.depaul@gmail.com or check out the VDay website at http://www.vday.org .
Thursday October 26 featured the Uprise Counter Recruitment Tour making it's stop at DePaul. The tour has been raising awareness about how wrong the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are and attempting to prevent youth from signing up to serve in the military. Featuring Iraq and Afghan Veterans Against the War, Riot Folk performer Ryan Harvey, Hip Hop artist Son of Nun rappers Head-Roc and Noyeek and Tom Morello, the Nightwatchman. Morello was also the guitarist for Rage Against the Machine and is the guitarist for Audioslave.
The concert was a big event, with close to 200 people watching the show and more walking through the student center seeing it. According to one of the members of the tour, this was the biggest show they had on the tour. Students danced and learned about how the military uses dirty tricks to recruit for it's immoral wars.
We have some alot of video of the show. At some point it will get up on the website. There is even talk of using the video to make a documentary about DePaul's connections to the Military/Industrial Complex and efforts to kick it off campus. Stay tuned for more details
For More photos: Click Here.
To Hear the Audio Interview with Tom Morello:Click Here
Sorority Sigma Lambda Gamma will host a showing of Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers. on Nov. 9 at 5:30 pm in SAC 154.
The same day, DePaul Students Agaisnt the War will host a panel with Iranian Peace activists Hamid Dabashi and Golbarg Bashi at 7:00 pm in Monroe Hall- 2312 N. CLifton Ave. The two will speak on recent Bush threats agaisnt Iran. More info: Chicago Indymedia.
In June of 2006, the Black Student Union at DePaul connected with it's roots and was able to bring it's founder, James Hammonds to speak at DePaul. A quicktime video of that speech is now online. Hammonds speaks on the need for a Black Student Union in 1968 and now to an audience comprised of BSU members.
View the video Here or on the Revolver page.
The Uprise Counter Recruitment Tour will be coming to DePaul University on October 26th, 2006. Sponsored by DePaul Students Against the War, the event will raise awareness against the war and the devious ways military recruiters convince students to die for empire.
The Event will feature members of Iraq Veterans Against the War, Tom Morello, guitarist for Rage Against the Machine will perform as the Nightwatchman, Hip Hop Acts Head-Roc, Noyek and Son of Nun will perform as will Riot Folk singer Ryan Harvey.
The Event is Free but donations will be accepted. It will be in the DePaul Student Center Atrium (2230 N. Sheffield) Take the Red, brown, or purple line trains to Fullerton, walk 1 block south to the student center.
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers visited DePaul on Weds the 18th of October, 2006, as part of their Truth Tour. The CIW has been fighting for workers rights for several years. In Immokalee, Florida, predominatly latino farmworkers are treated like no more than cheap labor. The CIW wanted to improve the conditions of the farmworkers and have recently won a massive campaign against Yum brand foods, the owner of Taco Bell and other fast food chains. Yum agreed to pay the farmworkers 1/2 penny more per tomatoe, a tiny sliver of their emmense profits, but it will drastically improve the lives of farmworkers who pick hundreds of pounds of tomatoes every day. Today, the CIW is raising awareness about McDonalds and how they are refusing to meet the CIW demands that Yum agreed to. Friday and Saturday are days of Action against McDonalds. For more info: CIW online.
To Promote upcoming events, DePaul Students Against the War have to get pretty creative. During one recent table session they asked students to "Pin the War Crime on the President." With war crimes ranging from "Killed 600,000 Iraqi's" to "New Orleans still ruined." Several DePaul students were eager to poke W in the face with a thumb tack.
See More pictures Here.
George W. Bush, the terrorist in the White House, was in Chicago recently for a Republican party fundraiser in the Hilton Hotel on Michigan Ave. Hundreds came out to demonstrate against the anti-gay bigot, the war criminal, or as Hugo Chavez recently called him, "the Devil." Picking up on the fact that Bush was visiting on the day before Friday the 13th of October, DePaul law Student Ryann participated in an "Exorcism" against the foul demon Bush, while student Morgan posed as a gravedigger (perhapes alluding to who she's going to bury?) and DePaul student Paul posed with members of Chicago Students for a Democratic Society, whose signs read, "Vote Or Die" but with the "Vote" and "Or" crossed out and replaced with "Enlist And Die."
On September 28, 2006, It had been six years since the second Palestinian Intifada or uprising began. To honor the dead and to remind the DePaul community to continue to resist Israel's occupation and aggression, to continue to fight against US imperialism and war, the DePaul chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine sponsored a candelight vigil outside the student center. Students placed a Palestian flag in the hands of the statue of Fr. Jack Egan. Egan was a fighter for social justice who spoke out against Apartheid in South Africa, marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and supported the Activist Student Union at DePaul in his final days. If he were alive today, he would support the Palestinians just struggle for dignity. Several Muslim women read poetry describing the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. One woman, Gihad, asked for a moment of silence and broke into tears as she asked us to remember the thousands of victims, Palestinian, Iraqi, Lebanese, Afghani, of US backed war. The closing speaker reminded us all that vigils would not end the war, but that protracted struggle, forming student groups, educating others, would.
About 200 people came to a lecture on Tuesday Sept. 26, 2006 in the art gallery of DePaul featuring Voices in the Wilderness founder Kathy Kelly and DePaul Professor Norman Finkelstein. Kelly spoke on her recent trip to the middle east, being jailed for his acts of non-violent civil disobedience, and her support of Irish Plowshares. Finkelstein spoke of the recent Isreali aggression against Lebanon and it's consequences. The Q & A was lively covering such topics as pacifism, Iran, and Iraq. The event was sponsored by DePaul Students Against the War and Lincoln Park Neighbors for Peace. There were many students there, but also several community members.
Chicago : DePaul University has decided not to renew its exclusive contract with Coca-Cola. The decision, by the largest Catholic university in the U.S., comes after a three-year campaign by anti-sweatshop activists on campus.
Extreme labor rights abuses, including the alleged kidnapping, torture and murder of local labor union leaders by paramilitaries associated with its bottlers in Colombia have caused other major universities including Rutgers and New York University to sever ties with the soft drink giant.
Other countries where Coca Cola operates and where serious complaints about labor rights violations have emerged include India, Turkey, Guatemala, and Indonesia.
In 2003, the Activist Student Union (ASU) at DePaul began a campaign to inform the students, staff, and administration about the murder of Coca-Cola union workers in Colombia and other company crimes, as part of an international boycott in solidarity with the food and beverage workers union of Colombia or SINALTRAINAL. SINALTRAINAL has been the target of right wing paramilitary groups that work with Coca-Cola management to crush unions.
DePaul's administration took the position that it could not make a decision until the 6-year exclusive contract was up. That deadline passed this summer, and the contract was cut. In the official press release, DePaul says the decision was made for business reasons, but also formally acknowledges that the human rights abuses in Columbia were an issue.
"In the name of all the workers in Colombia who are being exploited by Coca-Cola, I would like to say thank you for all the work that has been done to show Coca-Cola that there are people opposed to these abuses that can come together and have the power to change Coca-Cola?s practices," said Luis Adolfo Cardona, a former Coca-Cola worker in Colombia who had been kidnapped, tortured and whose entire family had received death threats from right-wing death squads because of his union involvement. Cardona was granted political asylum by the US and resides in Chicago.
News that US troops murdered Iraqi civilians in a massacre at Haditha should come as no surprise to those who have unwaveringly opposed the war from the begining. There is nothing new about this kind of behavior, whether it be US troops killing civilians at My Lai in Vietnam or shooting at unarmed Native Americans at Wounded Knee in 1890. These kinds of incidents have an effect here at home as well. Retired Chicago police commander Jon Burge is infamous for his involvement in torturing black men until they confessed to crimes they did not commit. He learned many of the techniques used on Chicago citizens as a soldier in Vietnam.
The Haditha Massacre ranks up there with the Abu Ghraib torture scandal. Even the murder of insurgent leader Musab al-Zarqawi doesn't make the US look any better to the rest of the world. There are reports coming out from veterans of the Iraq war about how often soldiers will kill civilians, and then plant evidence on their bodies to get away with murder. There was even a video posted to the internet of a soldier singing a song bragging about shooting Iraqi families.
It's clear what needs to happen to end these human rights abuses and acts of terror. The US must immediately and unconditionally leave Iraq. END THE OCCUPATION NOW! TROOPS HOME NOW! NO PUPPET GOVERNMENT IN IRAQ! FREE IRAQ FROM US IMPERIALIST TYRANNY!
A number of DePaul alumni spanning 20 years returned to DePaul to speak about their experiences. The panel was organized by Matt Muchowski who is working on what he calls, "A People's History of DePaul University." The panel had Muchowski read a few highlights from his unfinished outline, describing DePaul's history of discrimination against students of color, and the various student uprisings against racism, war and capitalism that have occured throughout the years.
The panelists included Joe Kinsella who spoke on how he participated in numerous actions against the US military (aid to the Contras, CIA recruiters on campus, etc). Kinsella also spoke on how the school banned then-president of the National Organization for Women, Eleanor Smeal, in 1986 because she was pro-choice. A number of students and faculty managed to bring her to campus to speak anyway. Another speaker was Marc Luzietti who described his participation in the large protests against rising tuition in 1990 and against the first gulf war. Luzietti was also one of the students involved in the occupation of the OMSA office which led to the creation of the cultural center. Marc's wife Cecilia Luzietti described how student groups dealt with sexual assault and the alternative student newspaper in the 1990's. Simon Strikeback described the queer kiss-ins that were held on campus inthe late 90's and the anti-sweatshop movement that led to DePaul joining the Workers Rights Consortium. Rebecca Steinmetz also talked about the anti-sweatshop movement and GRRRL House.
Muchowski hopes to have a finished book about DePaul's radical history finished by next school year. A quicktime video of the event is available Here or on the Revolver page.
With the closing of the school year, a number of student groups have put out publications. The Black Student Union has been publishing the Hawk regurarly, with articles on how African Americans shouldn't let divide and conquor tactics prevent them from uniting with Latino immigrants demanding their rights. The Asian Cultural Exchange put out their latest issue of the Access Newsletter and Lantern literary magazine which includes many excellent articles including one condemming the appearance of homophobic wrestler the Warrior, and an article commenting on how important it is to stand up for Asian immigrants rights as well as Latino's. When we have access to digital copies of those we will post the links here.
Also, DePaul Students Against the War created a zine, which is available Here or on the Revolver page. The zine has articles on the May 1st immigrant rights march, DePaul students attend a United Students Against Sweatshops conference in San Francisco, an interview with a former national guard member who is against the war, the diary of a student who volunteered in New Orleans, and Giueppe's review of different DePaul student publications.
A sold out crowd of over 1,000 gathered in the DePaul athletic center for a night of revolutionary hip-hop. DePaul Students for Justice in Palestine sponsored the event, and raised several thousand dollars for the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund.
The show featured a number of acts including Palestinian rapper Patriarch, break dance crew Brickheadz and the legendary Immortal Technique. DePaul student Gihad read her poetry, and the crowd went wild for her poems about justice. One of GIhad's poems had to do with why she wears a scarf, saying that she doesn't want corporate designers to tell her what she is supposed to look like. The crowd loved the revolutionary music, there were a number of Palestinian flags being waved. At one point Patriarch got the crowd into the mix, he told them, "When I say revolution, you say now... REVOLUTION..." and a thunderous roar came up as everyone threw their fists in the air and shouted, "NOW!" "REVOLUTION!" "NOW!"
After the show Immortal Technique signed autographs in the student center. The place was swarmed with a number of fans, all of whom got an autograph. At one point the police came. Five officers grabbed one of the organizers known to friends as Zitty, immediatly, several students and Immortal Technique began shouting at the police to let him go, he was an organizer for the event who didn't do anything wrong. The police let him go, and the event ended peacefully.
After two years of successful events, SJP is pondering what to do next year. Some have suggested getting a rock band next year such as System of a Down, while others want to keep doing hip-hop like Dead Prez or The Coup. E-mail your suggestions to sjptickets@gmail.com.
On June 2nd at 6:30 pm, in the atrium of the student center, alumni activists will return to DePaul. Part of the project, "A People's History of DePaul University", the event will feature activists from different generations speaking about their experiences fighting for social justice at DePaul.
The politically charged militant rapper Immortal Technique will be performing at DePaul. Last year Students for Justice in Palestine brought Talib Kweli to raise money for the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund, a non-profit that helps provide medical care for Palestinian children who are impacted by the morally corrupt Isreali occupation of Palestine. This year they are bringing Immortal Technique and calling the event "Lyrics for Liberty: 2".
Over 20 students rallied at the downtown campus demanding a change in campus climate on May 18th, 2006. They handed out fliers, beat on drums and talked to other students about their Demands. They also received a letter from Jim Doyle, Vice President of Students, addressing their concerns.
Over 40 student groups have endorsed the boycott or support it by using the Activist Student Union?s ?Anti-Coke Fund? to provide alternative beverages for their meetings and events. Almost every week, organizations request the ASU to bring them drinks, and ASU has received many letters thanking them for that service. Furthermore, the campaign is still being joined by student groups. Just last week, only days before the SGA abandoned the campaign, the Pakistani Student Organization used the Anti-Coke fund drinks at their event. In addition, the ASU has distributed over 1,000 anti-Coke buttons which are proudly worn by supporters. The assertion that the Coca Cola boycott does not have widespread campus support is nothing but a lie.
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DePaul Students Against the War voted to affiliate with the newly revived Students for a Democratic Society. SDS was one of the largest and most influential anti-war groups in the 1960's, and it's revival could mark a new begining for the student and youth left in the US. Our affiliation will not take away DSAW's autonomy, but will instead put is in a network of activists around the country, amplifying our voices. Members of DSAW will likely attend the SDS national conference this summer.
The Pictures page has been updated with a host of new pictures. Thanks to Justin for the pics.
Sigma Lambda Gamma capped off a week of activity by organizing a rally against street harassment. Earlier in the week they gave a tour of DePaul to grade school children to get them interested in higher education. For this event Sigma Lambda Gamma used the anti-coke fund to provide drinks for grade schoolers.
Also we have several pictures by Justin of the largest May Day in US history. May Day has roots in Chicago, the fight for the 8 hour workday and the Haymarket riot. Back then it was German and Irish immigrants fighting for their fights, today it's Latinos and others who are fighting against racism and for social justice.
Also, it's been several months but we finally have some pics from the United Students Against Sweatshops national conference. Several ASU members traveled to San Francisco for the conference in Febuary.
Conscientious Objector Robert Austin spoke at DePaul. He told DePaul students about why he joined the national guard, and how he came to oppose it's use for war. Those interested in finding out more should see the next issue of the Activist Student Union's zine, "Subject to Change."
While progressive student Betzie Ure was elected to the position of Senator of Third Year students, many are questioning the legitimacy of Student Government. With the lowest turn out in years (less than 200 in a school of 24,000!) and an elections board that did not give ample notice to the student body, many are calling for new elections or for the entire structure of SGA to be scrapped in favor of a more democratic form of organizing students decision making power.
Revolver, the official publication of the Activist Student Union at DePaul, will be changing it's name to "Subject to Change." The change in title is more inclusive of the broad politics among members of ASU. A new issue is on it's way with several great articles.
DSAW has hosted several events recently. We found out squatters were using the room we reserved for the Hands Off Giuseppe event. We raised over $100 in donations at the New Orleans Film Fest that is going to Critical Resistance. Critical Resistance is a group opposed to the prison industrial complex. They are fighting with the NAACP and ACLU to get amnesty for New Orleans prisoners who were arrested trying to feed themselves after Katrina. There are also prisoners who were arrested before the hurricane, had to face poor conditions during the hurricane, have yet to have charges pressed and are still being held in jail. Critical Resistance is calling for amnesty for these prisoners as well. We also had James Fennerty speak about opposing the racist minute men.
This week we will have former army member Robert Austin speak about opposing the war. Friday, 6:00, room 314a of the student center
On May 1st, 2006, about 3/4 of a million people marched in Chicago in support of immigrants rights. There were well over 50 DePaul students and fauclty there, possibly more. Students are starting to ask though, if DePaul shut down for a day in 1970 to protest the Vietnam war, why didn't it shut down last monday?
DePaul's Feminists In Action! (fia!) hosted the annual rally against sexual violence on the 18th of April, 2006. All day in the SAC Pit there was the clothesline project, then in the early evening, students rallied in the student center before marching around campus. Students siezed the sidewalks and streets and chanted slogans like "DePaul, Unite! Take Back the Night!", "This is what a Feminist looks like!" and "What do we want? Safe Dorms! When do we want them? Now!" After the march, student held a speak out in the student center.
Ahora Depaul, the latino student publication is now available on ASU's website, temporarily, until their own site is up and running. You can download it here or off the Revolver section of our website.
We will have a more in depth article soon, including details on DePaul students role, but the city's committee unanimously voted to approve the special use permit for the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. The shelter serves homeless people and helps them rebuild their lives.
In a video directeed by Ryan Fiegenbaum and staring some of your
favorite anti-war activists from DePaul, the world takes a stand. On
Febuary 15th, 2003, 10-15 million people around the world took to the
streets to stop the invasion of Iraq. The New York Times said this
outpouring of opposion to the war showed there were two super powers on
the planet, "The United States, and world wide public opinion."The Activist Student Union is a collection of progressive and radical students at DePaul University. We are members of various other clubs including DePaul Students Against the War and we try to change the world to reflect values of solidarity, mutual aid and social justice.
You can e-mail us at asu_depaul@yahoo.com. Or come to our meetings every Tuesday at 5:00 in the Cultural Center (First floor of the student center). You can sign up for our e-mail list and get updates on our campaigns by sending an e-mail to asu_depaul-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Spectrum is gearing up for it's signature event, Spectrum Week, with an exciting line up of events and speakers! And of course, what better way to cap off the week than a Drag Show in the Atrium?
Name: Spectrum Week 2007!!!
Tagline: When the Student Center Explodes in Gay
Host: Spectrum Depaul
Type: Education - Workshop
Time and PlaceStart Time: Monday, April 23, 2007 at 7:00am
End Time: Friday, April 27, 2007 at 5:00pm
Location: DePaul Student Center
Contact InfoEmail: spectrumdepaul@gmail.com
Name: Take Back the Night
Tagline: an anti- sexual and domestic violence march, rally, speakout and vigil
Host: feminists in action!
Type: Causes - Rally
Time and PlaceDate: Thursday, April 26, 2007
Time: 9:00am - 9:20pm
Contact InfoPhone: 773.325.7558
Please come and support survivors in our community, and help raise awareness of the violence we face every day. No one should live in fear, regardless of gender, race, age, ability, orientation, class, or heritage. By gathering, we can send a message that violence will not be tolerated, that the community cares about its members, and believes in their rights to a safe environment!
9am-4pm Clothesline Project in SAC Pit
**The Clothesline Project is a powerful gathering of shirts decorated by survivors of violence with their feelings, stories and drawings. We will also have resources for survivors, and shirts that can be decorated.
5pm-5.30pm Rally Outside Student Center (Weather Permitting) ** Students and community member can meet and listen to speakers share stories, poetry and outrage at the endless cycle of violence in America and around the world.
5.30-6pm March around Campus **The march will raise awareness of the issues of violence facing the community to the public and also serves as an affirmative challenge to every student, and community resident to end violence in their own lives.
6-9pm Speakout in MPR **The speakout functions as an outlet for stories of violence and resistance. Anyone is welcome to share their experience with the group.
9-9.20pm Candle Light Vigil in Quad **The vigil functions as a positive end to the night where participants can remember those lost to violence and pledge to help end it in their lifetimes.
