Come to Ignacio's Last Class at UC Berkeley```

Come to Ignacio's Last Class at UC Berkeley
Ignacio Chapela's last class at UC Berkeley is this Thursday, Dec. 9th from 8:00 - 9:30 AM. in 141 McCone Hall

Show Solidarity with Professor Ignacio Chapela

An outspoken critic of the university's ties to the biotechnology industry, Dr. Chapela had his tenure denied after he published an article demonstrating that native corn in Mexico had been contaminated by genetically engineered corn. His tenure denial came in the face of overwhelming support by his peers at UC and around the world.

Please Join us for Ignacio's last class and stand behind Academic Freedom

We hope to encourage as many people to come to this last class before Ignacio loses his job, which will be an open-mic session. We must fill the class and overflow to the outside. At the end of the class, we will then march to California Hall to demand from the Chancellor a full investigation of Ignacio's tenure case and to extend Ignacio's job while the investigation occurs. Wear a ribbon around your arm to show solidarity.

* Thursday, Dec. 9th 8am-9:30am in 141 McCone Hall, UC Berkeley
If need be, will move the class outside - to the open area just West of McCone Hall
* 9:30 - 10:00 am March to California Hall. Hand Chancellor Demands
* 10:00 am - Speakers and much more in front of California Hall

Dear Friends and Supporters of Ignacio Chapela,

The time has come to act. Professor Ignacio Chapela's contract is ending and his last class at UC Berkeley is taking place this Thursday, Dec. 9 from 8:00 - 9:30 AM. The University has been completely unresponsive up to this point. If you have not had the chance to show your solidarity with Ignacio and the issues that he stands for, now is your chance.

As many of you know Dr. Chapela was denied tenure in an extremely biased review process - that had more to do with his critical stance on biotechnology and the corporate presence in academia, than his important work or creative/intellectual capacity. We are planning to rally as many people as possible to Ignacio's last class to show solidarity and to stand up for academic freedom, tenure justice, and the ability to conduct our own research without catering to the biotechnology industry or any other corporate presence on campus. After the class, we plan to march to the Chancellor’s office to deliver a letter with our demands in support of Ignacio’s case.

For this action to be persuasive and to demonstrate the deep respect, support, and admiration that we have for Dr. Chapela, we need your presence. Please join us for Ignacio's last (hopefully not) class and the subsequent march to California Hall.

Media is welcome to attend all these events. We are planning to wear ribbons as a symbol of our support. Ribbons will be available at class Thursday morning and at various spots around campus.