General Union of Palestine Students Statement Regarding May 7th

The Scene
· Police barricades were erected, creating an area where pro-Palestinian supporters were to be contained. This is not a tactic regularly used by the university. Several times, pro-Israel students have counter demonstrated at GUPS events, but never once have they been caged.
· Trashcans were taken off of campus in the area where the pro-Israel rally and the counter exhibit were to take place. Again, this is not a tactic the university has used during GUPS events. By removing the trashcans administration followed tactics used by anti-terrorism specialists around the world; succumbing to the stereotype of Arabs, Muslims and pro-Palestinians as aggressive terrorists that may cause a riot or plant a bomb. This form of racism should be considered intolerable.
· San Francisco Police Department forces were brought onto campus before the event even started to ensure the security of the pro-Israel rally attendees. Again during events held by pro-Palestinian students, off-campus Police forces have not been brought onto campus before events have even commenced. This makes it clear that SFSU administration considers the security of Pro-Israel supporters more important than pro-Palestinian supporters.

The Event
· 11:30 Pro-Palestinian students begin to set up their planned educational exhibit on the grass. This exhibit included, a mock refugee camp, a mock checkpoint, a mock massacre scene and several posters. Despite the cage, our intention was to go ahead with the event.

· 11:50 Pro-Israel supporters begin to flood Malcolm X plaza. Various reports of pro-Palestinians being called racist names begin to sporadically come in. Note: Racist slurs began to occur before their first speaker came on.

· 12:00 The first speakers at the pro-Israel rally began to talk. In an attempt to hear what they were saying pro-Palestinian supporters (inside the cage) lined up behind the barricade (100 feet away) from the stage. Pro-Israel supporters began to taunt and tease. Comments such as: "animals", "terrorists", "sand niggers", "camel jockeys", etc. were hurled in our direction. Pro-Palestinian supporters began to chant as a form of defense. Such chants, include "hey hey, ho ho the occupation has to go", "no justice, no peace", "stop US aid to Israel",
"Sharon:War Criminal". It became quite clear, that this was not a pro-peace rally.

· 12:30 Pro-Palestinian supporters abandoned the original plan because of the slurs aimed in their direction. Chants continued. Chanting is allowed by the university. Heated debates between the two sides began to occur. Although there may have been some arguments, several exchanges of ideas were made. By this point: pro-Palestinian students were yelled at and harassed. In addition to things mentioned earlier these are some other comments reported: "go fuck your camels", "Arab losers", "go back to your caves". The tense atmosphere on May 7th was initiated by the pro-Israel supporters.

· 1:20 At about 1:20 the rally began to wrap up. Pro-Israel supporters were escorted off of campus. We were let out of the cage. It should be noted that during this period students were prevented from walking freely on their own campus. Pro-Palestinian students were finally allowed into Malcolm X plaza. It was then that students noticed an Israeli flag hanging from the student union. The student union is for all students and hanging a flag from there is against school regulations. Many students didn't feel that the Israeli flag should be hung from the student union. The Israeli flag represents oppression and occupation of the Palestinian people. It was then that students began chanting "take it down, take it down". An administrator took down the flag, supporters cheered and dispersed shortly after. It did not seem as if the police were concerned about the developing situation as they did not tell people to move back or take out there batons as they do when they feel a confrontation is likely. No arrests were made.


The events of May 7th have fit into a continued pattern of discrimination perpetuated by the San Francisco State University Administration. They have made it extremely difficult for GUPS to reserve rooms, to hold events and to express ourselves freely. Other student groups on campus do not have to jump the hurdles GUPS has to when planning an event. We have been labeled and stereotyped as aggressive terrorists by our own administration. Instead of representing us, it seems as though they are working against us, trying to find any way to suppress our voices and the pro-Palestinian movement on campus. In lieu of the events on May 7th, President Corrigan has released a statement, that is one sided and unfair. He along with others on campus, in their attempts to suppress our voices and take away from the Palestinian movement, are attempting to label us anti-Semites and hate mongers. Unfortunately, they are sadly mistaken. We stand firmly against anti-Semitism and all other forms of racism. We will not be intimidated by these politically motivated attacks on pro-Palestinian students.


It is time for the community to get involved and let President Corrigan and the SFSU administration know that their attempts to block free speech on campus will not be tolerated. Here are lists of demands we are making:
1. An apology from the administration for their treatment of pro-Palestinian students
2. Retraction of President Corrigan's letter attacking the counter demonstration
3. The establishment of an Arab and Muslim studies program to expand knowledge of the history of Arabs and Muslims. This is necessary in order to ensure Academic freedom on our campus and a fair and balanced course offering.
4. Administration must drop all disciplinary action against GUPS and pro-Palestinian demonstrators
5. In a post September 11th era, it should be a requirement that members of administration take a sensitivity training course. There has been and continues to be a severe backlash against Arab Americans and the administration should be sensitive to this, not take part in it.


Please send all letters/email to the following. Address everything to President Corrigan but CC it to everyone else on this list.



President Robert Corrigan
Corrigan [at] sfsu.edu
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
415-338-1381


J.E. Penny Saffold
Vice President, Student Affairs/Dean of Students
1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco CA 94132
415-338-2032
psaffold [at] sfsu.edu


Donna Cunningham
Judicial Affairs Officer
1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco CA 94132
415-338-2032
drcunn [at] sfsu.edu


University Dean, Human Relations
Ken Monteiro
1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco CA 94132
monteiro [at] sfsu.edu


College of Ethnic Studies
415-338-1693

Office of the Chancellor
California State University
401 Golden Shore
Long Beach, CA 90802


Senator Jackie Speier
400 South El Camino Real, Suite 630
San Mateo, CA 94402
Senator.speier [at] sen.ca.gov