Metadata

• When: 2023-10-13

• Where: Columbia University

• Who:

• Organizations: #SWC - Columbia Student Workers Union

• Tags:

Description

• On Friday, October 13th, Student Workers of Columbia (SWC) –this is the union that includes Columbia University graduate students– sent out a poll for endorsement of three “letters of support for Palestine”:  

• SWC Statement of Solidarity with Palestine

• Joint Statement from Palestine Solidarity Groups at Columbia University regarding the recent events in Palestine/Israel: Oppression Breeds Resistance

• Columbia SJP and JVP 10_9 Open Letter (letter referred to in a previous case)

• All three letters ignored or attempted to justify the horrific massacre perpetrated by Hamas against civilians in Israel on October 7th, and the first two listed here were ultimately endorsed via a dubious “supermajority.” This poll was deeply undemocratic in nature and plagued by major process issues. 

• A response to the SWC statement with more details is included here. 

• Additionally, a vote to join CUAD (CU Apartheid Divest Coalition) was announced by SWC on 11/13/2023 in this email: “This vote to join this coalition comes directly on the heels of Columbia suspending Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace…Joining the coalition will enable us to assist in supporting these groups and others by booking spaces and contributing what we can financially…To vote on this important matter, please come to Workplace Council tomorrow at 6pm in 505 Avery”. 

• Not only was the vote announced only one day in advance, but it was scheduled for the same day as the Israel rally in Washington DC, making it impossible for many pro-Israel students to attend since many went to the rally. SWC ended up joining CUAD. 

Media

Links to related media coverage, social media posts, etc.

• Columbia University Apartheid Divest: Who we are by Columbia University Apartheid Divest, Columbia Spectator, Nov. 14, 2023

• Over 80 student groups form coalition following suspension of SJP, JVP by Chris Mendell and Gelila Negesse, Columbia Spectator, Nov. 29, 2023

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