Hello CofC Community Ally!

You are receiving this update because you signed the petition to hold the College of Charleston accountable for it’s participation in continuing a long history of systemic racism, discrimination, and inadequate support to our black and brown students (current and alumni) by appointing Glenn McConnell as President in 2014. 

For too long systemic racism has gone unaddressed across all American institutions. Now is the time to stand together and make our demands heard. The recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others have elevated the push for change and the call for accountability from decision makers. This petition represents the CofC community standing together to dismantle systemic racism within our own institution. Join us in our continued fight for racial justice and equity. 

We still need your help. Take action by: 

1. Share this petition (even again!) - the more representation we have, the better! Petitions are gateways to activism. Share with your parents, professors, campus staff, old college group chats and organizations' Facebook pages, fellow alumni and/or current students!

Share on social media with the following tags and hashtags! 
Tag:
On Instagram tag: @collegeofcharleston, @cofcalumni, and @cofchsu @cofcblackalumni @cofcsga

You are also welcome to add the link to the petition in your bio on Instagram. 

On Twitter tag: @CofC, @CofCalumni, @CofcHsu. 

On Facebook tag: @College of Charleston, and @College of Charleston Alumni. @College of Charleston Student Government Association.

You can add the link in the caption for both Facebook and Twitter. 

Use these hashtags: #CofCAccountability, #CofC24, #CofChange, #FightForCofC, #Charleston, #KingStreet and any others you can think of to elevate this petition online!

This is not the final step, this is only the beginning. We acknowledge those who are not new to the fight, and we welcome those who are just now joining the fight! No matter where you are, WE thank you for signing this petition, supporting our black/brown students and alumni, and demanding accountability!

Our immediate demands: 

1. An official public statement by the College condemning the Board of Trustee’s decision to select McConnell as President 
2.The removal of the Glenn McConnell from the McConnell Residence Hall
3. Renaming of the McConnell Residence Hall in honor of a Black alumna of the College of Charleston 
4. Establishing a commission to be formed by the Avery Research Center and tasked with identifying, historically contextualizing, and removing/renaming buildings and/or monuments on campus that "honor" Confederates and their supporters, those who enslaved people, and/or those who advocated for segregation. 
5. WE demand the resignations of the Board of Trustee members still standing who affirmatively voted for McConnell’s selection and took part in the corrupted 2014 Presidential search process.

We are withholding all donations and contributions to the College of Charleston until they satisfy our demands!

Have questions? Suggestions? We’re a small committee working to represent you, so don’t hesitate to reach out at cofc.action.now@gmail.com

In solidarity, 

The right side of history.