Students for a Democratic Society

170 Members of NYU's faculty have released a statement and petitition in support of 18 students who have been suspended and, for some, kicked out of their campus housing as punishment for participation in last week's 46 hour occupation of NYU's Kimmel Center:

As NYU faculty, we call on the Administration to reinstate those students who have been summarily suspended for their recent protest at Kimmel, pending proper hearings by NYU's disciplinary board.

Spread far and wide and come to Washington Square immediately. After offering to begin good faith negotiations, NYU has arrested and suspended the student negotiator team and initiated a police raid of the occupied space. This follows police pepper spraying and arresting supporters overnight, and NYU shutting off restroom access, internet, and power this morning.

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NYU Refuses to Negotiate with Student Occupation!

SUPPORT NYU OCCUPATION!

At approximately 10pm tonight (Feb. 18), students of Take Back NYU!, a coalition of over 20 student groups including SDS, took over the Kimmel Marketplace. They have blockaded the doors and declared an occupation! They presented their demands to the NYU administration which are below.

Check their site for further updates

The student movement is growing everyday as students across the country as students stand up and demand accessible education. After you read the NYU Occupation demands, please also take a moment to support students at the University of DC engaged in a fight against a 100% tuition increase.

Click here to view their demands!<!--Check out the NYU Occupation demands after the cut...-->

On January 19, 2009, Students for a Democratic Society turned 3 years old. Yep, three years ago on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, our organization was birthed by such talented parents as the eternal struggle for justice and the unshakeable movement for real democracy (good genes!). Taking inspiration from the past, we are inherently a forward-looking group, drawing our strength from the unlimited energy of youth.

This year is a special birthday for us, one worth celebrating. We are coming of age in a pivotal historical moment. As the Bush Era ends and the nation's first Black president has been swept into office by a staggering mandate for change, the financial crimes of Wall St. and fundamental failures of the global capitalist system (and Congress) have been revealed for the entire public to see. Simultaneously we've witnessed an amazing string of movement victories, from the workers of Republic Windows & Doors occupying their factory and winning their rights, to our allies in the Student-Farmworker Alliance winning a fairer wage for tomato-pickers from Subway, to Bank of America caving to pressure to stop funding Mountaintop Removal, to President Obama's decision to close Guantanamo Prison Camp, and more! It's amazing what organized people can achieve when right is on their side.