Dear friends,
Last night peaceful, non-violent SUNY New Paltz students were brutally set upon and violently assaulted by the NY State Police. This attack by the troopers began around 11pm and was led by a snarling, ferocious German Shepherd who was lunging towards students while the trooper handler tried to hold him back. There were at least three drones hovering above and a police helicopter shining a spotlight on the assembled students and community members. A phalanx of police carrying riot clubs approached the students who were sitting peacefully on the ground in a large circle.As the German Shepherd barked and snarled next to the demonstrators, the police attacked the students and began brutally ripping them from the circle and dragging them to the side where two or three officers would violently hold them down and cuff them. (will try to send video seperately) It was a nightmare! There were screams and shouts as students were assaulted. While the circle was being assaulted the police had formed a line across Parker Quad and would not permit anyone to pass (including students who lived in the dorm next to the Quad).
Throughout this encampment the students have been peaceful and non-violent and actually complied with the college’s one demand which was to take down the tents. I have been involved in protests like this for over fifty years and have never witnessed the kind of enthusiasm and intensity displayed by the police when attacking and brutalizing the students. It was horrifying. For days the students were so optimistic and committed to their demands for divestment and accountability by the college. Their peaceful encampment and demands were all focused on ending the occupation and genocide being committed by Israel on Palestine.
Witnessing the attack of innocent students by militarized, state sponsored thugs draws clear parallels with the encampment known as Gaza and the West Bank - where Palestinians for seventy-five years have been subjected to violent militarized attacks sponsored by the Zionist State of Israel and paid for with your tax dollars. My prayers go out to those courageous students and community members who took a stand last night and I pray that their injuries are not permanent. I am including numbers and emails of SUNY New Paltz administrators. Please call and write them. Also consider joining New Paltz Women In Black tomorrow from 12:30-1:30 in front of the Elting Library in New Paltz.
with love,
Eli