A new student organization, the OU Students for Justice in Palestine, will have its first meeting tonight, to promote education about the violation of human rights occurring in the nation of Palestine.
My concern is the lack of education
there is a lot of ignorance with this issue especially living in a country that strongly supports Israel because the information on these issues is from a U.S. source
which is inherently biased
said Alana Dakin, a senior studying English. We wanted to create a space where you can get the other side of the issues to feel safe to raise these issues.
The idea to form the group came up last winter in an Honors Seminar Class taught by English Professor George Hartley, who now is serving as the group's adviser, following reading a set of articles that sparked discussion about the issues in Palestine.
I started attending meetings housed by the UCM group the Coalition for Peace and Human Rights in Palestine and Israel. Alana was the sole student member of that group. In the late spring some other students approached us about starting a student group
Hartley said.
According to the group's mission statement, some of their discussions will revolve around goals to end Israeli settlements, to end the military presence and occupation of the Gaza strip and West Bank, and to end U.S. economic and military aid to the region.
I first felt compelled in January of 2009 when Israeli forces attacked Gaza and the systematic campaign to destroy the region. It affected me greatly to watch these people being destroyed and knowing that my tax dollars are paying for it
said Leah Vincent, a 2010 alumna and graduate student studying Latin American Studies.
For some their reasons for founding this group evolved from a desire become educated about the region's issues.
I didn't know anything about the situation. I feel that is the same for most students and that's what this group is here for
to serve as a dialogue for students to get facts
said Jared Henderson, a sophomore studying philosophy.
Although it is just holding its first meeting, the group is planning some future events.
We hope to have a bigger meeting or event that is either a book discussion or a film screening that ties in with our focus
Dakin said.
Additionally, Dakin said there are national and worldwide organizations that have similar focuses and they would possibly participate in their events. The group will meet tonight in Ellis 106.
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