Three Berkeley Students face University Discipline on October 14, 2003 for Sit-In
Dear Friends,
Below you will find a press release by the Berkeley Stop the War Coalition
and a statement by Peter Camejo alerting you to the fact that the UC
administration has singled out three student activists for disciplinary actions
stemming from a mass anti-war protest and peaceful sit-in last March on campus.
There is also a list of UC officials at the bottom of this email you can contact
to demand the charges be dropped. Many of you know or have worked with one or
all of these students and know that they form an important part of the
activist life of UC Berkeley. Silencing them will chill free speech and activism on
campus. Please attend the press conference and rally if you are able, or you
can send messages of support to be read at the press conference to
ChretienTodd@aol.com
In Solidarity,
Todd Chretien, ISO
Statement by Peter Camejo In Support of Berkeley Anti-War Students Facing
Charges
I would like to express my complete solidarity with the three Berkeley
students, Snehal Shinghavi, Rachel Odes and Michael Smith, who are facing
disciplinary charges for their role in the peaceful anti-war sit-in at Sproul Hall last
March. Once again the University of California, Berkeley administration is
taking a stand on the wrong side of the issue. These students protested the
Bush Administration's invasion of Iraq and its disregard for the United Nations
and the international rule of law. During the illegal US war in Vietnam,
students spoke out and took action to bring an end to the killing, while UC stood
on the side of the war-makers and attempted to squash free speech. I, for
one, was expelled by UC because I spoke out against the war. Everyone who
opposes Bush's illegal war and occupation should let the UC adminstration know that
we vehemently oppose the charges brought against this new generation of
student activists.
Peter Camejo
Green Party candidate for governor
PRESS RELEASE
UC Berkeley Threatens Free Speech
Three Berkeley Student Activists Face Disciplinary Hearing for Anti-War
Sit-in Last March
[Traprock note: Michael Smith, one of the students charged, may be reached at
510-928-1503
mgs@uclink4.berkeley.edu ]
MEDIA ADVISORY
Monday, October 1, 2003
What: Press Conference and Rally for Student Activists
Where: Clark Kerr Campus, University of California, Berkeley
2601 Warring Street (cross street Parker)
When: 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 14, 2003
10 a.m., Hearing begins in Room # 102 of Clark Kerr building
Three student activists at the University of California, Berkeley, are facing
student conduct charges in connection with last March's occupation of a
campus administration building to protest the United States invasion of Iraq. They
will go before a University disciplinary panel Tuesday, October 14. The three
students, undergraduates Rachel Odes and Michael Smith, and graduate student
Snehal Shingavi, as well as their supporters, will hold a press conference and
rally at 9:30 a.m., before the start of the hearing. Protesters will then
pack the hearing room and demand the charges be dropped or that the trial be
delayed.
Over 100 students were arrested during the peaceful sit-in, but only three --
all leading organizers in the Berkeley Stop the War Coalition, which
organized last spring's protest -- were charged with violations of the University's
Student Code of Conduct. In addition, criminal charges for all students were
dropped by the Alameda County District Attorney last April.
While charges were filed last spring, the students were notified of the
hearing date only 10 days beforehand, and Dean of Students Karen Kenney has refused
requests for a delay.
The rally and press conference are sponsored by the Berkeley Stop the War
Coalition, a member of the Campus Antiwar Network (www.campusantiwar.org).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please contact the following UC officials and demand the charges be dropped:
Chancellor Robert Berdahl
MAIL: 200 California Hall #1500
Berkeley, CA 94720-1500
TEL: (510) 642-7464
FAX: (510) 643-5499
Assistant Chancellor John Cummins
EMAIL: jcummins@uclink4.berkeley.edu
MAIL: Office of the Chancellor
200 California Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-1500
TEL: (510) 642-7516
FAX: (510) 643-5499
Student Judicial Affairs Officer Neal Rajmaira
EMAIL: osc@uclink4.berkeley.edu
326 Sproul Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
TEL:(510) 643-9069
FAX:(510) 643-3133
Page created October 13, 2003 by Charlie Jenks
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