2023-12-06 Columbia Social Work Teach-In Event


Metadata

  • When: 2023-12-06

  • Where: Columbia University

  • Who:

  • Organizations: CSSW4Palestine

  • Tags: #AdminFail

Description

Additional evidence: folder

  • On 12/4 CSSW4Palestine Student Group posted an invitation to their “teach-in” on instagram to discuss “the October 7 Counteroffensive'' and “revolutionary violence.” See photo1 and photo2.

  • On 12/4 CSSW Dean Begg announced the event would not proceed.  See photo. 

  • On 12/4, CSSW4Palestine posted on their instagram that despite Dean Begg announcing the event was canceled, they were going to proceed anyway.  See photo. 

  • On 12/5, CSSW Dean emails students that they have the option to attend classes on 12/6 virtually.  See photo.  

  • On 12/6, CSSW’s Office of Student Life sent an email notifying students that Jewish Caucus Hanukkah Party (scheduled for the first night of Hanukkah): APISSA Caucus Potluck and Muslim& APISSA Game Night would be postponed. See photo. 

  • Despite Dean Begg announcing that the event was not permitted, CSSW4Palestine gathered in the CSSW building lobby and proceeded with the event.  See video.

  • Video of the infamous pro-terror event at Columbia School of Social Work:

    • Cheiku Camara, Assistant Dean for Student Services, was present and asked for people observing the event not to film.  See video linked above at minute 4:25. #AdminFail  

    • CSSW branded umbrellas were given to students by CSSW security and faculty to block non-protestors from taking pictures and videos.  See the video linked above at minute 0:06. #AdminFail

    • Student stated “On October 7th, the Palestinian Liberation fighters demonstrated their refusal to be dominated…They showed us through creativity, determination, and combined strength, the masses can accomplish great feats.” See the video linked above at minute 0:06-0:22.  

    • A student stated “Revolutionary violence is central to anti-imperialism because imperialism cannot exist without colonial violence. Chants from the river to the sea are seen as calls for genocide and criticism of the Israeli government is labeled as anti-semitism. Many Israelis see these calls for Palestinian liberation as acts of violence. Perhaps because violence is central to the construction of the Israeli national identity. ” See the video linked above at minute 1:20-1:49.  

    • Student stated “Israel and its allies denounce revolutionary violence of Palestine and insist that we condemn Hamas while ignoring the fact that their own violent actions are what forced Palestinians to resort to violence in the first place.” See the video linked above at minute 2:26-2:37.  

    • Faculty, security and admin were present at the event.  See video (beginning at minute 4:02). #AdminFail

    • The Director of Facilities was confronted regarding allowing the protest. See Video (beginning at 8 seconds). Moira Curtain, Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Dean of Students in the School of Social Work is present speaking to Mohsen Mahdawi, President of DAR Columbia, the Palestine Student Union at Columbia University, who is a student in the Department of Philosophy in the School of General Studies, nearby. See the video linked above at 36 seconds. #AdminFail

    • Rebecca Dalton, Assistant Director of Student Affairs for the Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies Department gave a protest observer who was filming the event a code of conduct paper, responded that it was about social work when the observer asked about a double standard and faculty then escorted the observer out of the building. See the video linked above at minute 4:30. Ana Abraido-Lanza, Vice Dean and Professor of Social Work, and Cheiku Camara, Assistant Dean for Student Services were present and observed this. See Video beginning at 9 seconds. #AdminFail

    • Professor Susan S. Witte was reportedly present holding up an umbrella branded with the School of Social Work. Ana Angeles, Director of Student Leadership and Engagement, was also present.  See video (minutes 4:09 - 4:29).  

    • Columbia Public Safety Lieutenant Bobby Lau was present and observed the event from the sidelines.  See the Video at minute 4:55 and photo.  #AdminFail

    • An Israeli student spoke to the CSSW4Palestine group at the end of the event. See the video linked above at minute 5:38. 

  • Despite the event going on for an hour, CSSW later made a statement 12/6 after the event on twitter, which stated, “A student led event within the School of Social Work building proceeded without permission, after being canceled…School and University administrators informed the students of the possibility of disciplinary action and urged them to disperse, which they did. The matter is under review under University procedures.” See photo.

  • The mob harassed Senior Executive Vice President Gerry Rosberg and the video of the encounter was posted on Instagram (archive). #AdminFail

  • This event violated Student Group Event Policy, Harassing Language Violation, Threatening Behavior Violation and University Events Policy.

Media 

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