University of New Mexico’s Graduate and Professional Student Alliance’s
Resolution in Support of the Right of the (un)Occupy Albuquerque Movement to Protest on UNM Campus
Whereas the Occupy Wall Street movement is a non-violent, people powered movement for direct democracy that began in the United States on September 17, 2011 with an encampment in the financial district of New York City; and
Whereas (un)Occupy Albuquerque began its non-violent, peaceful assembly of students and community members at the University of New Mexico campus in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street and We Are The 99% movement on October 1, 2011; and
Whereas, (un)Occupy Albuquerque has complied with UNM requests to reapply for appropriate permits; and
Whereas, the protesters have complied with the new restrictions imposed by UNM concerning the permissible hours for protest activities at Yale Park; and
Whereas, the transient community forms a crucial part of the 99 percent that (un)Occupy Albuquerque seeks to represent; and
Whereas, it is unjust to cite the presence of transient community members as a reason to shut down a student/community-led movement; and
Whereas, protest organizers are actively working to prevent the abuse of illegal substances and are conscious of the concerns of the university regarding security and safety at Yale Park; and
Whereas, (un)Occupy Albuquerque consists in part of individuals from the student body, where some hold GPSA membership; an
Whereas, GPSA is obliged to “preserve and protect” the right to free expression of ALL members as stated in the preamble of the GPSA Constitution;
Now therefore be it resolved that the GPSA Council condemns the decision of the UNM Administration to forcibly remove protesters; and
And let it be further resolved that the GPSA Council affirms the right of (un)Occupy Albuquerque to peaceful assembly and protest, and support the continuation of its activities on university grounds
And let it be further resolved that GPSA Council requests on behalf of (un)Occupy Albuquerque that the permissible hours of activities be extended to 24 hours 7 days a week; an
Let it be finally resolved that this resolution be electronically forwarded within one business day of its enactment to: GPSA President, ASUNM President, UNM President, UNM Board of Regents, Faculty Senate President, Staff Council President, Daily Lobo News Editor, Vice President of Student Affairs, and Albuquerque Journal News Editor.
Submitted: October 28, 2011
Passed: November 7, 2011
Love it!
Hurrah! Its great to have support from UNM students. Thank you for posting!