The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today applauded Towson University (TU) Student Government Association (SGA)’s vote earlier this evening to pass Resolution 15 calling on the Towson University Foundation to “completely divest from all companies and funds that invest in companies, including but not limited to all those on the AFSC’s divestment list, that facilitate the illegal occupation, displacement, and settlement of Palestine.”
“Whether it’s at peace encampments and sit-ins or in SGA hearings and administrative offices, students on university campuses are leading the way for transparency and accountability in our institutions of higher learning,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “TU Foundation should immediately follow through on the demands in the resolution, and help send a resounding message that Towson University is committed to justice, dignity and human rights for all.”
Senate Resolution 15 reads:
“WHEREAS, Over 33,000 Palestinians have been murdered since October 7, 2023, over 75,000 Palestinians remain injured, and tens of thousands more have been injured and murdered by the Israeli occupation since the Nakba in 1948.
WHEREAS, In 2022, the United Nations declared “that the Israeli occupation is unlawful under international law”.
WHEREAS, Israel has indiscriminately bombed the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, which it had previously designated as a ‘safe zone’, and in the process destroyed every university in the Gaza Strip.
WHEREAS, Israel has committed war crimes including but not limited to intentional murder of civilians, sexual violence, and targeting of hospitals.
WHEREAS, The Towson University Foundation is a client of multiple investment firms that enable the genocide of the Palestinian people, including Vanguard and BlackRock. Some of these funds invest in companies including but not limited to Caterpillar, Chevron, Genie Energy, and Primo Water Corporation, that enable the genocide of the Palestinian people through occupation, displacement, and settlement, as well as major weapons manufacturers which supply Israel with tools that enable their illegal occupation.
WHEREAS, The Towson University Student Government Association has a “commitment to advocating for peace, justice, and humanitarian values on a global scale”
WHEREAS, BE IT RESOLVED, The Student Senate of the 103rd Student Government Association of Towson University urges for the Towson University Foundation to completely divest from all companies and funds that invest in companies, including but not limited to all those on the AFSC’s divestment list, that facilitate the illegal occupation, displacement, and settlement of Palestine.”
In March, CAIR welcomed the University of Maryland Baltimore County SGA’s vote to pass a joint resolution calling for divestment.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com