Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF) of Sri Lanka condemns repression and arrests of university students
H.E. Julie Chung
US Ambassador to SL,
US Embassy in Colombo,
210, Galle Rd,
Col-03
US Government, stop the violent repression of students fighting for a Free Palestine!
The
Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF) of Sri Lanka,
unequivocally condemns the violent repression and arrests of hundreds of
university students across America, who are calling for an end to the
US-backed, Israeli genocide of the Palestinian people, and for their
universities to divest from direct investments in companies doing
business in, or with Israel. Some universities such as Yale, for
example, are calling for the divestment from military weapons
manufacturers that aid Israel's siege on Gaza. At the University of
Columbia, students are targeting tech companies such as Google, which
has a cloud computing deal with the Government of Israel.
Since
the 17th of April, when students from the Ivy League, University of
Columbia, set up Gaza Solidarity Encampments on their university lawn,
students from several other universities across America have followed
suit. Among them are other Ivy League universities like Yale, Harvard,
Princeton, Cornell, UPenn, who have joined the fight to Free Palestine.
Over 1000 students have been arrested from across the USA since April
17.
In
a particularly violent crackdown, the Atlanta police used tear gas,
tasers and allegedly rubber bullets, to break up the Gaza Encampment at
Emory University, Georgia. The Police had even wrestled down an Emory
Professor, pinned her to the ground, and arrested her. Another professor
too was violently arrested, along with many students. Green Party
Presidential Candidate, Jill Stein was also violently arrested from a
protest at Washington University this week.
Protesting
students in the US have vowed that they will continue protesting till
their demands are met, and that arrests and violent repression will only
help mobilise more students to the movement.
We unconditionally
stand alongside fellow university students and faculty in the US, in
their fight to free Palestine. We reiterate their calls for their
universities to divest from Israel, thereby stopping their supporting of
the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, and to ensure an
amnesty to all students and faculty arrested, or facing disciplinary
action in connection with these protests. Join the fight! Free
Palestine!
In solidarity,
Madushan Chandrajith,
Convenor,
Inter University Students' Federation - Sri Lanka
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