‘This decision was to try to best represent all 7,100 students or over 7,100 students and to do right by all those we represent’
Loyola Marymount University’s student body president is facing criticism for his veto of a Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions resolution against Israel.
“On Monday, April 15, more than 100 students, staff and faculty protested ASLMU President Drew Hartz’s veto of a senate bylaw and resolution that would abstain funds from companies that support Israel’s occupation of Palestine,” the student newspaper reported.
The resolution at the Jesuit Catholic university would prohibit student senate funds from going to companies on the BDS Movement’s list. It would also ban ASMLU funds from purchasing goods from another list developed by the student senate.
Companies on that list include Starbucks, Domino’s, Burger King, Disney, and McDonald’s.
Student senate funds also could no longer be used to buy excavators from several construction equipment companies. The student senate bylaws would also mean money could not be used to buy asphalt pavers, or any other trucks, from Caterpillar, which is on the blacklist.
The Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University will vote again tomorrow.
Three-fourths of the senators must vote in favor to pass the resolution. It unanimously passed several weeks ago before being vetoed on April 11, according to the student newspaper.
“This decision was to try to best represent all 7,100 students or over 7,100 students and to do right by all those we represent,” Hartz told the student newspaper last week. “And really the decision is just an effort to maintain ongoing dialogue, but with all perspectives included in the process so that hopefully ASLMU can serve as a mechanism for uplifting students and a force for unity rather than division.”
Speakers at the Students for Justice in Palestine event included Hartz’ vice president, Yinka Akinlade, The Los Angeles Loyolan reported.
She told the crowd:
If having students come to senate meetings and collaborate with senators is not the best way possible to represent students, then what is? It became clear to me that while I was genuine in my wish to inspire integrity with this administration, my running mate was not. I am incredibly disappointed that when it came time to advocate for marginalized students, the president chose not to step up.
“This decision to veto tells me [and] all of the other marginalized students on this campus that our voices don’t matter,” she also said. “As someone who I considered to be my friend, I couldn’t be more hurt by this decision to veto.”
“In our lifetime, Palestine will be free,” she said. “I am confident in this. Ceasefire today, ceasefire yesterday and ceasefire now.”
MORE: New York college suspends professor ‘energized’ by Hamas attack on Israel
IMAGE: SJP LMU/Instagram
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