Tallahassee, FL – On Feb. 10, students at Florida State University (FSU) took turns hitting piñatas made in the image of 2016 Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump. The event was organized by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), whose members stated concerns about Trump’s proposed policies, such as building a wall on the U.S. – Mexico border, banning Muslim immigrants from entering the U.S., as well as mass deportations of undocumented people.
Houston, TX – A Republican debate is scheduled for the University of Houston on Feb. 26. In response, Students for a Democratic Society are calling for a protest to “Dump Trump!” Students are demanding the University of Houston oppose, instead of host, the Republican agenda of fear, hatred, racism and war.
Milwaukee, WI – About 20 students and faculty members rallied at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Feb. 3, and marched on university Chancellor Mark Mone's Spring Plenary address at the Zelazo Center.
Florida bill would punish companies boycotting Israeli occupation
Tallahassee, FL – On the morning of Feb. 4, a group of Florida State students and community activists attended the Florida House State Affairs Committee to speak out against proposed House Bill 527. The bill, sponsored by Florida Representative Ritch Workman of Melbourne, would penalize companies for participating in the growing movement to boycott, divest and sanction (BDS) the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Houston, TX – Over 60 people gathered in front of the library at the University of Houston, Jan. 29, to protest against police brutality and demand justice for Sandra Bland, an African American woman who was murdered at the nearby Waller County jail last summer. The protest was organized by Students for a Democratic Society and participants included members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the Houston Anti-War Committee, the Student Feminist Organization, the New Black Panther Party, Workers World Party and a few other groups.
Salt Lake City, UT – Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) gathered on campus, Jan. 22, to demand a tuition freeze. They marched from the Student Union building to the university's law building where they entered the lunch that the State Board of Regents was holding with the presidents of every local university and college that are part of the state’s high education program. They delivered a short speech, and chanted, “Fight, fight, fight, fight. Education is a right!” and “Chop from the top.”
Tampa, FL – The University of South Florida (USF) student government passed a resolution to divest from Israel Jan. 19. The vote was 32 to 12, with 5 abstentions. Palestine solidarity activists packed the chamber in the Marshall Student Center at USF to support the resolution, which includes divestment from corporations that profit from Israeli apartheid.
Richmond, VA – On the morning of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18, around 100 students with the Virginia Student Power Network rallied outside the Virginia state capitol, demanding the right to a free education. Students chanted, “Education is a right, that is why we, fight, fight, fight!” and “No cuts, no fees, no corporate universities.”
Milwaukee, WI – About 50 students, teachers and community members rallied at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Dec. 9 to protest an impending $250 million cut to the UW system. The rally was organized by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) which had collected petition signatures demanding:
Tampa, FL – On Dec. 3, a dozen University of South Florida students gave out hundreds of flyers and dropped a banner in support of affirmative action for African American and Latino students. As part of the National Day to Demand Affirmative Action called by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), chapters held events calling for increased African American enrollment, a defense of affirmative action and an end to racist admissions policies.
