[WCUSP] Let Bishop Tutu Speak!

[KATHARLOW at aol.com]

Dear friends,

Follow-up to  the news item I sent on this a few  days ago. Here is an action 
 
item

Please send a letter to the  president of the University of St.  Thomas 
urging 
him to reverse his  decision to bar Archbishop Desmond Tutu from  speaking at 
his  university.

The Justice and Peace Studies program at St.  Thomas had  arranged for Tutu 
to 
speak on their campus this coming spring, but  the  university president, 
Father Dennis Dease, countermanded that decision  and  soon after removed the 
chair 
of the Justice and Peace program from  her position  (she has tenure, so she 
can't be fired).  

Archbishop Tutu has been the  target of a slanderous campaign  against him 
waged by the extremist group, the  Zionist Organization of  America because 
of his 
outspoken criticism of Israel's  harsh measures  in its occupation of the 
Palestinian people. Many Jews agree with  his  criticism and many who do not 
still 
believe he has not only a right to  be  heard, but that his experience in 
fighting apartheid makes his an  important  voice on any social justice issue.

Far from being a favor  to Jews,  actions like this one increase 
anti-Semitism 
because they  make it appear as if  Jews oppose free speech. More 
importantly, 
free  speech must be defended and  promoted on this issue if Palestinians are 
 
ever to be free of occupation and if  Israelis are ever to lead normal  
lives. 

Please join me in urging Father  Dease to change course by  clicking on the 
link   below.

http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/jvfp/campaign.jsp?campaign_
KEY=14061

Defending   the right to speak,





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