The Defend Affirmative Action Party condemns the recent anonymous slander campaign against Central Student Government representative and vice presidential candidate Omar Hashwi. This attack has a racist tone and is aimed at making a serious discussion of the issues of the Middle East impossible. Attacks of this kind create a hostile environment for all Arab and Muslim students on campus. All students, CSG candidates and representatives who care about academic freedom and maintaining a diverse student body should condemn the demagogy, hysteria and falsehood of these attacks on Omar Hashwi. Omar is being attacked for defending the Palestinian right to self-determination and criticizing the policies of the Israeli government.
Students who agree with Omar and students who defend the policies of the Israeli government must have a right to voice their views on campus without being the victims of demagogic attacks.
Kate Stenvig
Defend Affirmative Action Party Chair