University of London Union (ULU) votes to boycott and divest from Israel
Contact:
James Haywood, President-Elect Goldsmiths University Students’ Union
Ph: 07766516166
Ashok Kumar, Education Officer LSE Students’ Union
Ph: 07799783618
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Earlier today, Wednesday 18th May, the University of London Union (ULU) voted 10-1 to institute and campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) in support of Palestine. The motion called for “thorough research into ULU investments and contracts” with companies guilty of “violating Palestinian human rights” as set out by the Palestinian Boycott National Committee (BNC). Ashok Kumar, Senate member for LSE, speaking in favour of the motion, argued,
“We have precedents for boycotting campaigns at ULU, especially with South Africa and the boycott campaign over Barclays bank, that supported the Apartheid regime. We are now responding to the Palestinian call for civil action in support of their fight against racism.”
The motion also called on other students’ unions to join in the campaign for Palestinian human rights. ULU is the largest students’ union in Europe with over 120,000 members from colleges across London. ULU senate consists of the presidents from the 20 students unions representing every University of London University. James Haywood, President-elect at Goldsmiths Students’ Union, stated,
“We are delighted that this motion has passed, and with such a clear vote as well. We have seen throughout history that boycotts are a crucial nonviolent tactic in achieving freedom, and target institutions, not individuals.”
Sean Rillo Raczka, incoming ULU Vice President,
“I’m delighted that ULU has passed this BDS policy on Israel. We stand in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people, and as Vice President next year I will ensure that the University of London Union does not give profit to those denying the human rights of the Palestinians”
About time 🙂
Good work
By: Maham on May 18, 2011
at 8:47 pm
[…] of London Union Senate Votes to Support BDS By Jinjirrie, on May 19th, 2011 With a 10 to 1 vote in favour of BDS, the University of London Union Senate just remade history. The ULU was the first student union in […]
By: University of London Union Senate Votes to Support BDS « KADAITCHA on May 19, 2011
at 4:16 am
If you want to expand on the student riots topic, have a look at our article, in which James Haywood gave his opinion on the university cuts.
http://www.jotta.com/jotta/published/home/article/v2-published/1546/after-the-riots
Cheers,
Team jotta
By: jotta on May 27, 2011
at 10:45 am
[…] been put to either SU. We also draw attention to the fact that the University of London Union (ULU) recently voted to “institute and campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) in support of […]
By: Rebutting the arguments by the ‘No’ campaign | Cambridge Bin Veolia on October 21, 2011
at 1:31 am