A Rude Awakening

One would think that our colleges and universities would be bastions of free speech, and would open their doors to all points of views on a wide range of topics. And especially when property owners are assessed taxes to support such public organizations, in this case Washtenaw Community College. The summer taxes alone for this writer amounted to over eight hundred dollars to provide first class education for WCC students.

Well, almost first class. You see, students may be denied the opportunity to witness an anti-Zionist point of view on-campus on October 30, when Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends plans to hold its annual protest of the Jewish Federation’s Main Event.

JWPF’s investigative reporter uncovered this bit of shocking news: WCC’s Board of Trustees’ Policy on Student Speech and Expressive Conduct states that ” … the property, buildings or facilities owned and controlled by the College are not open for assembly, speech or other activities” when it comes to non-students. You can read the entire policy here.

However, all is not lost. The Manager of the Office of Conference Services, which rented out the Towsley Auditorium of the Morris Lawrence Building has indicated that township (i.e. public) property extends 30 feet from the edge of the pavement of Huron River Drive, towards the sign (“Washtenaw Community College – Morris Lawrence Towsley Auditorium”). So until we hear further from our intrepid legal department, which feels we have rights to the grounds at WCC …

Help Us Protest the Federation 3pm next Sunday (October 30th)

As a smart football offense takes advantage of what the defense yields, so will JWPF plan our protest at the Federation’s fund raiser, even as our legal department argues for space on the property of this government-funded college. Please gather with us at 3pm on Sunday, October 30th at the entrance to the Morris Lawrence Building on the campus of Washtenaw Community College.

Directions: From US-23 or Ann Arbor: Take the Washtenaw Avenue Exit, head East towards Ypsilanti, and take the first traffic light LEFT onto HOGBACK RD. Then at the next light, take a RIGHT onto CLARK RD. Proceed 1.0 miles to HURON RIVER DRIVE (2nd light) and turn LEFT. The first driveway on your left is the entrance to the Morris Lawrence Building. Look for the Palestine flag.

From Ypsilanti: Head Westbound on Washtenaw Ave. Turn RIGHT onto GOLFSIDE RD. Continue past CLARK RD. and take the first driveway on your left.

IMPORTANT: We had tentatively called for the protest at 4pm, but have CHANGED TO 3:00 PM to begin our protest prior to the start of the event.

Four vigilers
Challenging Israel’s Legitimacy
Henry Herskovitz
Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends

Comments? https://blog.deiryassin.org/2011/10/08/report-on-beth-israel-vigil-10-15-11/