Contact: Josh Schott, jdschott@stanford.edu, (406) 250-9432
Michelle Dallalah, dallalah@stanford.edu, (315) 560-7085

March 5, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(Stanford University, CA) – In a powerful show of solidarity, over 75 Stanford students turned
out Tuesday evening to express support for the campaign calling for Stanford University’s Board
of Trustees to divest from a set of companies that violate international law and abuse human
rights in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The students hailed over the two dozen student groups, including the NAACP, Stanford Students
for Queer Liberation, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA), Stanford Says No
to War, Asian American Student Association, the Stanford Labor Action Coalition, and the
Black Student Union. These were among the 10 student groups that spoke strongly in favor of
divestment at a Senate meeting the previous week.

While the divestment bill put forward by Students for Palestinian Equal Rights did not pass, the
Associated Students of Stanford University Undergraduate Senate passed a separate resolution
expressing its firm stance against investment in companies that cause “substantial social injury.”
It further called on the Advisory Panel on Investment Responsibility and Licensing to review the
University’s investments to ensure compliance with the University’s Statement on Investment
Responsibility.

Inspired by the words of support they received from all corners of the globe, including from
Nobel Peace Laureates Desmond Tutu and Mairead Maguire, Rogers Waters of Pink Floyd,
Alice Walker, Jewish Voice for Peace, and a coalition of 86 Palestinian university elected
student councils and youth organizations, the 1500 individuals, including over 1000 students,
who have signed the Stanford divestment petition will continue to push forward in their efforts to
end Stanford’s complicity in human rights violations in Israel and the Occupied Territories.

In moments like this, we recall the wise words of Nelson Mandela: “there is no easy walk to
freedom anywhere and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death
again and again before we reach the mountaintops of our desires.” While the summit remains
elusive, the climb continues.

March 5, 2013

Dear ASSU Undergraduate Senators,

As a coalition of more than 400 organizations around the United States advocating for an end to U.S. political and institutional support for the Israeli occupation, we wholeheartedly endorse the proposed Stanford University Undergraduate Senate Resolution: “Ensuring Investment Responsibility and Protecting Human Rights in Israel/Palestine.” Passage of this resolution would honor and continue Stanford’s proud history of divestment from companies that profit from violent, oppressive, and discriminatory practices.

Every day, Palestinians suffer ongoing displacement, discrimination, and exile as a consequence of Israel’s abusive policies, which are abetted by companies including those listed in this resolution. Struggling for their most basic rights to freedom, justice and equality, Palestinians are asking people of conscience to stop profiting from Palestinian suffering. We join them in this principled call. After all, we cannot talk about peace while simultaneously investing in violence.

Groups around the country are cheering you on, Senators. Campuses have been at the forefront of social justice struggles throughout recent history, even when doing so was unpopular. We cannot celebrate this legacy and simultaneously shy away from taking a stand on issues of today. It’s time to stand on the right side of history again by voting for this important resolution today, urging the Board of Trustees to review Stanford’s endowment and divest from companies unwilling to end their involvement in the brutal and ongoing violation of Palestinians’ basic rights.

With great anticipation,

US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

P.O. Box 21539, Washington, D.C. 20009

202-332-0994

www.endtheoccupation.org

uscampaign@endtheoccupation.org

A national coalition of more than 400 groups–including 64 in California–the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation works to end U.S. support for Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. They support a U.S. policy that upholds freedom, justice and equality.

As a group of Israeli citizens, we call on Stanford University to stand with human rights, and divest from companies making direct profit from the Israeli occupation, and ongoing oppression of the Palestinian people.

At Stanford, you face a major choice today. You can choose to take a clear stand against apartheid buses and apartheid roads, different laws for different people, separation and segregation, or you can stand for it. You can choose to support a country in which the abduction of children from their bed at the late hours of the night is a routine, or you can choose to oppose it. You can choose whether to stand with the oppressor, or to side with the oppressed. Whose side are you on Stanford? Tonight you choose.

We hope with all our hearts that you would choose to say no to apartheid, no to 64 years of land grab and oppression, no to military occupation. We hope that you would support freedom, justice and equality for all. We hope you will say yes to divestment.

Sincerely
Boycott! Supporting the Palestinian BDS Call from Within (Boycott from Within)

March 5, 2013

From their website: “We, Palestinians, Jews, citizens of Israel, join the Palestinian call for a BDS campaign against Israel, inspired by the struggle of South Africans against apartheid. We also call on others to do the same.
We are devoted to the promotion of just peace and true democracy in this region. We are particularly opposed to Western governments’ decision to boycott the Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, most especially in besieged Gaza. This is particularly outrageous given the same Western governments’ prolonged support of Israel’s apartheid and other daily violations of international law.”

Dear all,

Tonight, you are faced with a very difficult decision–your vote on UGS-W2013-6.

As a representative of the ASSU, it can be crippling when you are faced with this type of resolution. You do as much research and outreach as you can, but at the end of the day, it is you and your vote on the line. I urge you to not think of the repercussions on yourself, but the legacy of which you are a part.

As young adults, this platform–the Stanford Student Senate–is one of the most powerful to which you have access. Buried in the minutia of Appropriations policy and elections drama, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that you are awarded consistent and meaningful press coverage–both Stanford-specific and national.

In 1976 and 1987, the ASSU took a stand against South African apartheid (http://csre.stanford.edu/theses/11_DErvin.pdf). Their actions helped lead the South African University Divestment movement; our alumni helped to bring apartheid to its knees.

Last year, I was faced with a very similar decision as the one before you tonight–whether to sign my support to the SPER petition on selective divestment. I conducted my research and I did what needed to be done–stand up and say that, for once, the ASSU would stand for something. I supported and support Israeli, Palestinian, and all human rights. (www.stanforddaily.com/2012/05/04/op-ed-why-i-support-israel-palestine-and-divestment/).

I urge you to use your voice to support rights Israeli, Palestinian, and human rights. I urge you to join the long legacy of strong ASSU advocacy. I urge you to make the brave choice and vote in favor of the bill.

Sincerely,

Michael Cruz

ASSU President || 2011 – 2012

B.A. History | Class of 2012 | Stanford University

ASSU Vice President || 2011

ASSU Chair of the Undergraduate Senate || 2010 – 2011

ASSU Undergraduate Senator || 2009 – 2011

Since June 2005, the people of Bil’in have struggled against the Israeli occupation, specifically against the construction of the apartheid wall, which cuts through the village, effectively cutting off the villagers from their own land. To show their support, several Bil’iners have recorded a statement encouraging the ASSU to vote Yes on the divestment bill tonight. Please share the video with your friends and allies; the people of Bil’in deserve to have their voices heard!