CAMPUS ANTIWAR NETWORK STATEMENT IN DEFENSE OF HAMPTON STUDENTS
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http://www.petitiononline.com/Hampton1/
As the largest national network of students against the war in Iraq,
the Campus Antiwar Network condemns the attempt of the Hampton
University administration to repress free speech on campus. By
attempting to punish students for legitimate dissent against war,
bigotry, and violence, the university has shown contempt for its
students’ minds and consciences, and has done a disservice to the
struggle for a more just society.
However, we do not believe the Hampton students will be so easily
silenced. As we have led the fight against the priorities of U.S.
empire on campuses, we have faced repression again and again — putting
the lie to the image of ours as a nation fit to bring democracy to the
rest of the world. And yet in every instance, we won. We have defended
our right to dissent against the policies of this government, at UC
Berkeley, Seattle Central Community College, City College New York, San
Francisco State University, Holyoke Community College, George Mason
University, Kent State University, and more — showing that when
students are united in solidarity, our movement cannot be crushed. We
have overcome every case of repression, whether from university
administrators or police. And we will win again at Hampton University.
More is at stake than the futures of the seven students whose
university is so quick to discipline them. By standing up for the
Hampton students — and their demand for a better world — we are
standing up for a future our generation can be proud of. We call on the
Hampton administration to drop all charges against the students, to
recognize their activist group as a legitimate student organization,
and to abandon its policies of crushing speech with which it disagrees.
The Campus Antiwar Network will not rest until this is done. The
students, united, will never be defeated!