The rally at the Board of Governor's (BOG) meeting on April 29 was one of the most inspiring and empowering displays of solidarity Carleton has seen in decades. Members from over 20 student groups and hundreds of students came together to unanimously reject the administration’s practice of investing our tuition dollars in funding war and illegal occupation.
Currently, Carleton’s pension places paramount emphasis on profit maximization. The tuition fees paid by students largely provide the capital for the pension fund, and, as such, students have the right to demand accountability and transparency from our administration. We do not want the illegal occupation of the Palestinian people, nor the oppression of any other people around the world, to be subsidized by our tuition dollars. We say no to funding violence. Contrary to the assertions made by Carleton’s administration, provided prudence requirements are satisfied, nothing in common law or Ontario statute prohibits divestment.
Significantly, Students Against Israeli Apartheid and all four student representatives to the board exhausted all bureaucratic channels to have our divestment campaign heard. These requests were denied. Further, the board told students at large that they were to be locked out of the meeting. In accord with democratic procedures, these meetings are generally open to the public. This was a blatant attempt to silence our voices.
In response, students gathered to show the administration that being locked out of their highest decision making bodies is simply unacceptable. People chanted and danced and engaged in a massive sit-in. The mood was jubilant, and we were successful!
SAIA is emulating the work done in the ‘80s to divest from South African apartheid. In the spirit of the original anti-apartheid movement, there have been teach-ins, general meetings open to the public, and of course rallies and protests. SAIA will continue to educate and resist, until Carleton 1) Immediately divest its stocks in BAE Systems, Northrop-Grumman, Tesco Supermarkets and Motorola, 2) Refrain from investing in other companies that are complicit in human rights violations or violations of international law, and 3) Work with the Carleton community to develop, adopt, and implement a socially responsible investment plan.
The movement for divestment is growing. A diverse community of undergrads, grads, faculty, alumni, and community members at large believes that Carleton must divest from war profiteering companies. SAIA is genuinely thankful for every action of support, none of this would be possible without your solidarity. More importantly, none of this will be possible without your continued solidarity. We have a voice and we will not be silenced.
Sam Brimble,
SAIA member