I voice my strong opposition to and disgust of the recently proposed bill "COLUMBIA Act", spearheaded by representatives Torres and Lawler. This is a disgusting excuse to expand the police surveillance state to target our college campuses. Why is it that there has been no prior bills proposing federal "monitors" on campuses for other forms of bigotry like racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, or Islamophobia? Why is it that when students across our country demonstrate in significant numbers as a broad-based coalition representing all people of all faiths and races to put an end to Israel's genocide and our country's participation in it, this government suddenly finds it necessary for this kind of bill? No one buys this as a true, good faith action to fight antisemitism on college campuses. This is clearly meant to fearmonger, quell dissent, and try and stop Americans from putting an end to the genocide.
As of 4/28, there are 84 American college campuses participating in solidarity with Palestinians and demanding an end to the genocide. The number grows daily. This isn't going to stop until the genocide stops and Palestine is free.
I demand that you:
– Hold Israel accountable for a permanent, immediate ceasefire, their violations of the Genocide Convention, and gross human rights violations by any means necessary
– Call for the immediate end of Israel’s occupation and apartheid and support Palestinians in their fight for freedom and peace
– Secure the immediate release and safety of all Palestinians who have been abducted and held captive by Israel, including those whose indefinite detention began prior to 10/7
– Permanently end all monetary, diplomatic, and military aid given to Israel and enforce Leahy Law
– Reallocate all funds given to Israel and commit additional resources for ongoing humanitarian relief for Palestinians starting with immediately resuming funding of UNRWA
– Immediately withdraw all U.S. troops, military assets, and all other assets deployed throughout the Middle East and cease all actions that further escalate a larger regional conflict
– Pass legislation that voids all anti-BDS laws at the federal level
– Vote no on H.R. 7521 and any similar legislation proposed
