Solidarity Picket with DePaul Students' Sit-In to Protect
Academic Freedom on Campus

WHO: Student groups, community organizations, and all others in solidarity with DePaul Students Supporting Academic Freedom.
WHERE: 55 East Jackson (corner of Wabash and Jackson, downtown Chicago), Executive Offices of DePaul University.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 13th, at 11 AM.

WHY: To pressure President Holtschneider to reverse his decision to deny tenure to Professors Finkelstein and Larudee.

DePaul University recently acted to deny tenure to Professors Norman Finkelstein and Mehrene Larudee. Both professors are widely respected in their areas of study and have consistently amassed positive ratings from their students over the course of their professorial engagements. It is widely believed that the two professors were denied tenure solely based on their political views and specifically as a result of intrusive pressure from pro-Israeli parties, including Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershovitz.

Outraged DePaul students have taken action to defend academic freedom, which is currently under attack at the nation’s largest Catholic institution. After an unsuccessful meeting with DePaul President Fr. Dennis Holtschneider, where their demands were ignored, DePaul students are continuing their sit-in indefinitely at the President’s office.

“This will be an ongoing effort. If you are unable to come on June 13th we encourage you to come throughout the week,” said DePaul student organizer Bitta Mostofi. “We ask the community to come and show solidarity with the students who are sitting-in for academic freedom at DePaul by rallying outside of the building.”

On Wednesday, June 13, 2007, the Faculty Council will meet, in emergency session, with the University’s Vice President to discuss the option of appeal, which the University has already denied to both professors. The DePaul students have been told that they must leave the offices by 12 Noon on Wednesday.

If you have any questions, queries or comments, please feel free to call DePaul student Victor Lang at 312-576-1888 or email victor.lang22 (at) gmail.com. See updated information at chicago.indymedia. org/ and www.finkelgate.com.

Picket convened by: DePaul Students Supporting Academic Freedom, Students for Justice for Finkelstein-DePaul, Students for Justice in Palestine-DePaul, UIC Students for Social Justice, and Wright College Students for Peace and Justice; plus community organizations including the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)-Chicago, Arab American Action Network (AAAN), Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism, Council On American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Chicago, Palestine Solidarity Group (PSG)-Chicago, and the Southwest Youth Collaborative.