Photo by Rainer Lee/OutWrite
Content warning: mentions of genocide, settler colonization, police brutality
In solidarity with the pro-Palestine movement, OutWrite Newsmagazine will solely platform Palestine for the remainder of the quarter. We refuse to continue business as usual in the face of the ongoing Israeli genocide and occupation in Palestine. Over the past couple weeks, the university has suppressed, silenced, endangered, and by proxy of UCPD and other fascist law enforcement, attacked and arrested students, faculty, staff, and community members calling for Palestinian liberation. The university has proven itself to be hostile to the demands of its people; it actively limits our free speech. OutWrite unequivocally condemns the Israeli genocide in Palestine and uplifts the movement for a Free Palestine.
On May 15, the United Auto Workers Local 4811, representing the academic workers employed by the UC system, passed a Strike Authorization Vote. UAW 4811 has called a strike to protest the UC’s unfair labor practices, including the endangerment and arrest of union members at UCLA’s Palestine Solidarity Encampment on April 30 and May 1. The UAW supports the Palestine Solidarity Encampment throughout UC campuses and demands that the UC administration respect the pro-Palestine movements’ right to free speech and engage with UC Divest’s demands in good faith.
On May 16, UCLA’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, Darnell Hunt, falsely declared the UAW strike “unlawful.” Only the Public Employees Relation Board, not the UC system, can authorize a strike. We stand with the striking academic workers and condemn the university’s dishonest use of intimidation tactics to prevent students and staff from exercising their rights.
OutWrite reiterates the demands of UC Divest:
- Divest: Withdraw all UC-wide and UCLA Foundation funds from companies and institutions that are complicit in the Israeli occupation, apartheid, and genocide of the Palestinian people.
- Disclose: Provide full transparency to all UC-wide and UCLA Foundation assets including investments, donations, and grants.
- Abolish police: End the targeted repression and policing of pro-Palestinian advocacy on campus, and sever all ties with the LAPD.
- End the silence: Call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to the occupation and genocide in Palestine.
- Boycott: Sever all UC-wide connections to Israeli universities, including study abroad programs, fellowships, seminars and research collaborations, and UCLA’s Nazarian Center.
In addition, OutWrite demands:
- Amnesty: Grant amnesty to the protestors who were arrested on May 1 and May 6 and pay medical reparations to students targeted and attacked by police and counterprotesters.
No business as usual until Palestine is free.
In solidarity, striving towards liberation,
The OutWrite Editorial Team