[WCUSP] Let Tutu speak!! ((Prototype letter)

[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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