New School faculty and staff set up their own solidarity camp on the school’s Manhattan campus Wednesday afternoon, marking the first ever faculty-led anti-Israel protest in the United States, organizers said.
A small number of faculty members set up about half a dozen tents at the progressive university’s University Center and joined students to demand divestment of the school from 13 companies they say are supporting Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza. demanded.
They are also demanding an end to the presence of the NYPD on campus and the dismissal of disciplinary charges against students.
“The movement started by our brave students must continue. It is our duty as teachers to heed their call and help them finish what they started,” he said, organizing the new camp. said an anonymous representative in a statement released by New School students. For justice in Palestine.
Rifaat Alalil Faculty Solidarity Encampment is named after the famous author and professor. Killed in Israeli airstrike in DecemberThis comes after more than 40 New School students were arrested Friday night when the NYPD cleared an anti-Israel encampment. According to the New School Free Press.
Dozens more students were suspended from the school, according to the student newspaper.
“From the brazen lies spewed by the administration in the face of the NYPD’s violent crackdown, to the tactics used to suspend students and prevent students from accessing essential needs following their arrest. “It’s clear that the president, board members, and administration have no interest in protecting students,” or listening to their demands only to protect themselves and their own interests,” another anonymous user said. said the teacher.
The Post has reached out to The New School for comment.
Students for Justice in Palestine called for a “general strike,” and in a statement Tuesday, interim president Donna Shalala said “to justify sending in riot police from the NYPD while students were sleeping. “He claimed a false and misleading story.” Closing down school operations.
The strike calls on all students, faculty, and staff to refrain from participating in paid or unpaid work at the new school. The group said teachers have been asked to refuse to submit final grades.
After mass arrests of students, more than 94% of New School faculty and staff voted in favor. pass a motion of no confidence Shalala and the board.
The faculty protesters also called on universities and local governments across the country to drop charges and disciplinary actions against the more than 2,000 student protesters who have been arrested or disciplined by their universities. ing.
“This is the first teacher-led camp in the United States,” they said.
“I hope this is not the last time. Thank you to the students who showed us the way. For being our teachers.”
