The Barricade
Issue 1. March 25, 2024
FREE PALESTINE!
Welcome to the Columbia University Apartheid Divest official newsletter—the Barricade! This newsletter is intended to wrap all significant news, updates, and upcoming events in one place. We will also share more information on how to get involved and other important resources.
You are receiving this email because you have expressed interest in receiving regular communications from CUAD and/or previously signed to support the tuition strike. Thank you so much for all your support thus far and if you wish to opt-out of the CUAD newsletter, please navigate to the ‘Unsubscribe’ feature at the very bottom of this message.
A New Website
CUAD now has a WEBSITE! www.cuapartheiddivest.org. Learn more about the coalition’s demands, membership, resources, and ways to support all in one place.
Students Support Divestment!
In the last month, divestment referenda have been initiated in six schools: Columbia College, Barnard College, School of General Studies, School of Social Work, and Columbia Law School. In the coming months, these student bodies will vote on whether or not they support financial divestment of the Columbia endowment from companies that profit from genocide, occupation, and apartheid.
The referenda also call for ending the university’s collaborations with Tel Aviv University, an institution that our Palestinian friends cannot even safely visit, in clear violation of the university’s non-discrimination policies.
In addition, a boycott resolution was passed by Columbia College Student Council, committing to withhold its discretionary $450,000 budget from companies that support the Israeli Apartheid state. If you’re interested in organizing a referendum campaign at your school or want to help pass the referenda that are already initiated, email us at columbiaapartheiddivest@proton.me!
Palestinian Solidarity Month
Previously known as Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW), we were happy to announce this March as Palestinian Solidarity Month. Although IAW has been part of a larger BDS-led call to action that we’ve taken part of for years, this year we decided to recenter Palestine by offering events throughout the entire month.
Follow us and attend the last week of Palestinian Solidarity Month! This week features an event with the founder of the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library, Vivien Sansour, on Wednesday (3/27) highlighting the importance of preserving the culture and foodways of Palestine.
More on Palestinian culture, join us for a Tatreez workshop on Friday (3/29) where we will learn about and try out Palestinian traditional embroidery.
This week also features a screening of There Is a Field by Jen Marlowe highlighting BLM and Pro-Palestinian activism on Tuesday (3/26). Along the theme of exploring interconnected struggles, explore connections between Landback movements from Turtle Island to Palestine and enjoy an Iftar meal afterwards on Thursday (3/28), and participate in a teach-in that explores the intersections of the Kashmiri and Palestinian struggles on Friday (3/29).
Wrap up the month with a poetry reading from Palestinian writers Sara Abou Rashed and Fargot Tbakhi at 4 PM EST and a kite-making and flying workshop (specific details to be announced) on Saturday (3/30).
Follow the Instagram account @cu.psm for more updates on times and locations, or see a full list of events related to Palestine here, compiled by Teachers College Abolition Collective.
Boycott Zionist Events!
This last week, Columbia hosted a vile event platforming the well-known Islamophobe and Zionist agent, Mosab Yousef, who recently tweeted, “Never trust anyone who identifies as a Muslim” (See CAIR-NY’s statement). Meanwhile, Columbia continues to deny Palestinian solidarity organizations like SJP, JVP, and other members of the CUAD coalition, space to host events. As long as Columbia continues to promote a hostile climate for legitimate criticism of “Israeli” occupation, genocide, and apartheid—while encouraging IOF propaganda—we will continue to maintain a targeted boycott of dangerous and hypocritical events.
You can read our full list of ongoing boycotts, as well as an explanation of our criteria for selecting events to boycott, here: tinyurl.com/cuboycott. Don’t attend these events! And if you know of other events, please send us a tip, or email us with questions at cuadsolidarity@proton.me
What Can You Do To Help?
Currently, the best way to support CUAD is make sure that you and your community are up to date and keeping in touch with us. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @cuapartheiddivest, if you can, and share this newsletter with others. Please subscribe to this newsletter to stay informed.
Contact us here with any questions: columbiaapartheiddivest@proton.me.
What are ways as university staff I can get involved and help?!
Hi! How are y'all doing? We are based out of Ganinesville, Florida, and some of us participated in the encampment at the University of Florida. Our current goal is to enhance coordination with all local groups and individuals by establishing a Substack based newsletter. I was wondering if you could share some advice with us since y'all have been using this platform. Thank you and Solidarity!