Muslim Student Association @ University of California, San Diego

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In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(San Diego, CA, 3/11/2012) -- The Muslim Student Association (MSA) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) stands in solidarity with the Students for Justice in Palestine(SJP) at the University of California, Davis (UCD) and condemns the comparison of pro-Palestine activism at UCD with racist and homophobic events at several University of California(UC) campuses in the March 9, 2012 “Open Letter to UC Community from President Yudof”sent out by UC President Mark G. Yudof.

See: Open Letter to UC Community from President Yudof

As a visible supporter of the Black Student Union (BSU) at UCSD during the racist events of Winter Quarter 2010, MSA UCSD finds it offensive that President Yudof equates pro-Palestine activism on campus to the deliberate outright racism experienced by the BSU at UCSD. Politically-motivated disruption of events on UC campuses aimed at downplaying Israeli war crimes is not comparable to the blatantly racist act of hanging a noose at Geisel Library amidst the toxic atmosphere at UCSD in 2010. By “[condemning] the actions of those who would disrupt” an event bringing soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces (an entity that has been internationally condemned for its crimes against Palestinians) to the UCD campus, President Yudof has chosen to silence pro-Palestine activism at UC campuses.

Finally, MSA UCSD calls on President Yudof and the UC system to seek consultation on diversity initiatives with groups that fight for the civil liberties of Muslims, Arabs, and all marginalized communities (other than the Anti-Defamation League and the Museum of Tolerance) in order to create a safe campus climate for all students attending UCs; to this end, MSA UCSD invites the UC system to partner with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Council on American-Islamic Relations.The MSA further echoes the concerns with the Anti-Defamation League and the Museum of Tolerance detailed in the March 10, 2012 letter written by the California Scholars for Academic Freedom (first link below).

See: California Scholars for Academic Freedom Protest UC President’s Apparent Bias Regarding the Right of Free Speech and Dissent on UC Campuses                                                                                            

See: The American Civil Liberties Union’s “About” page

See: The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Vision and Mission

In keeping with its dedication to the struggle for justice for all marginalized peoples, MSA UCSD stands in solidarity with pro-Palestine activists all over the world-- from college campuses in theUnited States to protesters in the streets of Gaza and West Bank.

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