8 Comments

From one who was yanked out of Havermeyer Hall (by the hair) in the Spring of 1968, salutations to those who are continuing the tradition of protest. We all honor those who went before us, often at much greater risk. Wishing you continued success in your struggle!

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Just in case it sounds as if I was trying to boast, I mean we all stand on the shoulders of giants, going back to 1879, 1848, 1870, 1905....

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So proud of you all - much love and respect to you. You are most certainly on the right side of history and the whole world is watching. Stay strong and steadfast like our Palestinian sisters and brothers.

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I cannot express how much meaning your stand brings to our lives. Thank you and let us keep it up until we win

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Do you have a resource where you identify things you may need? Also, is it even possible to access you to handoff such provisions?

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love everything you are doing, you are strong, you won't be defeated in this. power to the students. they cannot keep our eyes off of Gaza. they cannot keep our eyes off of you all.

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From an 81-year-old Columbia alum who was on campus and protesting during the Vietnam War and has been a feminist anti-racist anti-war activist ever since, I salute the brave, principled Columbia students. I thank you for not only carrying on a powerful legacy but taking it further and deeper. You are the ones we've been waiting for and will not only be on the right side of history but also, along with all the other student groups you've brought in your wake, are changing history. La lutta continua!

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DIRECT DEMOCRACY

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In politics there is nothing more impactful than elections. Politicians have to respect outcomes. I suggest activists consider a plan to have non-binding (advisory) elections placed on ballots of cities to pursue changes in US and European nations' foreign policy.

Such as: "Should the United States prioritize use of diplomacy to resolve international differences, negotiate elimination of nuclear weapons, and encourage Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas, to initiate peace talks?     YES_________NO_________"

Non-binding "advisory votes" are underutilized as a tool to popularize reform ideas and put pressure on officials. Non-binding propositions can speak to the unit of government holding the election or another unit of government..

This approach has been endorsed by Scott Horton, the voice of Antiwar Radio, and Daniel Ellsberg before his death.  The Nuclear Freeze movement offers a successful precedent for this gameplan …

“What Activists Can Learn from the Nuclear Freeze Movement”

https://hnn.us/articles/1636.html (2003?)

“The Nuclear freeze and Its impact” (2024)

https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2010_12/LookingBack

On the Ballotpedia website look for: "Local Ballot Initiatives: How citizens change laws with clipboards, conversations, and campaigns"

https://ballotpedia.org/Local_Ballot_Initiatives:_How_citizens_change_laws_with_clipboards,_conversations,_and_campaigns

Also see: "Let the People Rule" by Prof. John Matsusaka, to learn more about local ballot measures, in the US and abroad.

Barry Klein

ForeignPolicyAlliance.org

Check out our take Action page

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