New School University students in NYC have occupied bldg, demanding resignations and policy changes

(8:30PM EST – promoted by Nightprowlkitty)

(NB: Sent out via CodePink listserv)

Action is going on NOW, if you are local PLEASE GET OUT IN THE STREETS!

They need local NYC based support, if someone wants to cut and paste this to the Orange Beelzebub or any other forum by all means do so.

From: m burgess

Date: Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 4:09 PM

Subject: activists needed: 65 fifth ave (between 13 & 14th)

Last night, the NSU students took over the cafeteria in the building at 65 5th avenue (between 13 and 14). This morning, the administration prevented anyone from entering the building. Things got ugly when the police arrived with NSU Present Kerrey. (Only one student was arrested.) The cops have come and gone and come back again. After closing off the building, the admin finally let people withh ids back in. CLearly, they’re stumped about what to do. Civil Rights people, lawyers, press are here. The international action center is here. The students need more numbers to protest in front of the building. They’re calling for anti-war groups for support. The faculty (senate, all divisions and union of part-time faculty) overwhelmingly support No Confidence in Kerrey or Vice Pres J. Murtha, and the students are speaking to this and to larger issues, namely Kerrey’s support of the war, socially irresponsible investments and requesting removal of L-3 Communications chair from the NSU executive board. Please spread the word. The students are doing a nice job. They plan to stay until conditions are met. They could reallly use some support out front this afternoon, and into the night!

New School Building Occupied

To members of Campus Antiwar Network

Ian Chinich

Today at 12:54am

I am currently sitting inside a barricaded room with a large number of students at the New School. The students have occupied the building and are refusing to leave until their demands are met. They want the resignation of the director of L-3 Communications from their board of governors in addition to stopping tuition increases, and divulging investment information.

We need support. We need food… we need media support… we need help spreading the word… we need you to occupy your schools and your work places… A number of students from other schools in the area have come to help us hold this space.



So far the police have not forced their way in….. security has padlocked the fire escape to prevent more of us from getting in…a security guard attempted to enter over our barricades in the front to listen in but he was surrounded…… we are holding our ground and we are holding out…. we shall see what happens in the morning…

Come to 14th street and 5th ave….. NOW!!!!…

NY Times coverage here.

Some videos:

Maria Lewis sent a message to the members of TAKE BACK NYU!

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Subject: Come Join the SIt-In at the New School!

Greetings from liberated space! Come join us at the New School sit-in and demand student democracy and an end to school-sanctioned war profiteering! Like Take Back NYU!, New School students are fighting for student power and an end to campus complicity in systematic injustice. Let’s stand by our allies!!!

We are currently occupying 65 5th Ave. btwn. 13th and 14th street. Call me at (415)240-9441 and I will get you in. Please come join us, we need every heart, mind and body we can get. I have pasted a full explanation and list of demands below.

What We Want:

The removal of Bob Kerrey as President of our university

The removal of James Murtha as Executive Vice President of our university

Election of the president, EVP, and Provost Students, faculty, and staff.

Students as voting members of the interim committee to hire a provost.

The removal of Robert B. Millard as treasurer of the board of trustees.

Intelligible transparency and disclosure of the university budget and investments.

The creation of a committee on socially responsible investments.

The immediate suspension of capital improvement projects like the tearing down of 65 fifth Ave.

Instead, money towards the creation of an autonomous student space.

Instead, money towards scholarships and reducing tuition.

Instead, money for the library and student life generally.

Liveblogging here.