Alan Maass, Socialist Worker newspaper
David A. Caputo
President
Pace University
New York City, NY
president@pace.edu
Dear President Caputo,
I am writing to urge you against taking disciplinary steps against Brian
Kelly and Laura Giaccone. I can see no excuse for this course of action, but
that they are to be punished for exercising their right to speak and to
protest.
Brian and Laura should be commended, not punished, for having the courage
and passion to speak up about this war. The human cost of the invasion and
occupation of Iraq is horrifying, and growing worse with every passing week.
Yet there has been no serious opposition to, or even debate about, the
occupation or the Bush administration’s wider war on terror coming from any
quarter of the political establishment, including the Democratic Party.
That is why I think it is entirely appropriate for these two students to
demand an accounting from a leader of that party, Bill Clinton. It is in the
best traditions of solidarity and struggle to reject any idea that former
president Clinton be treated with deference, but instead to ask him to
answer for his record and his views.
I hope you will reconsider any actions taken against these students and
cease any threats against them. You should support, not undermine, their
right to dissent and protest.
Alan Maass
Socialist Worker newspaper