Students Against War will hold a press conference regarding threatened disciplinary action by the Seattle Central Community College administration on Thursday February 3rd at 12 noon on the south plaza of Seattle Central Community College.
In protest of George Bush's inauguration on January 20th, students walked out on the Seattle Central campus. During the walkout a group of well over one hundred students surrounded a table of three military recruiters and chanted anti-war slogans until they were escorted off campus by security. Some actions taken by participants have brought about disciplinary threats against Students Against War. An ultimatum was presented by the school administration - "If we do not receive a copy of your apology letter by Thursday, February 3, 2005, your club will cease to be in good standing on campus," said the letter from the Administration.
SAW's official statement in response to the Seattle Central Administration:
The group Students Against War is not responsible for the actions taken against the military recruiters on the 20th of January. We do not have the authority to speak on behalf of the individuals involved.
Any disciplinary action taken against Students Against War is without precedent or basis. SAW engaged in two permitted actions on that day, which included the rally in the south plaza and the student march to Westlake Plaza. The congregation around the military recruiters was a spontaneous event carried out by people on their own accord. SAW cannot represent these individuals or their actions, and cannot be legally held accountable.
As to the actions themselves, students were expressing their feelings about the intrusion of the military into our schools. Military recruitment on campuses nationwide has been stepped up along with military spending, while funding for education has been repeatedly cut. Military recruiters on our campus prey on the lack of options for low-income students. SAW does not support sending our low-income youth to fight and die in a war that is unjust and unfair.
Students Against War is sorry, but not about the actions of the 20th. SAW is sorry that soldiers in Iraq are dying. SAW is sorry that billions of public tax dollars are being pumped bullet by bullet into foreign soil while increasing numbers of Americans live near or under the poverty line. SAW is supporting the troops by working to bring them home.
These are our sisters and brothers. If Sgt. Due was in Iraq, one among three military recruiters asked to leave, SAW would support his right to life and human decency by bringing him home. When our friends are sent to kill and die because they didn't have the money to pay for college, we say bring them home. Why should American soldiers face death and mutilation for the lies of the Bush administration? We say bring them home. We, as Students Against War, ask you as friends and families of soldiers, to defend those troops by bringing them home NOW.
To contact Students Against War, please call our spokesperson Gerald at 1-206-329-2276
And how long before the LSM spins this???