As students of a Lasallian institution, our values compel us to take a stand against injustice. We cannot remain silent about the genocide happening in Palestine. Our school's investments should reflect these values, and it is therefore unacceptable for us to be financially linked with any corporations that are complicit in this Genocide.

We call upon our school administration here at Saint Mary's College of California to align its actions with its professed Lasallian values by divesting from companies involved in Israel's ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Let us not be silent; let us act for justice.

By signing this petition you are voicing your support for the following demands: 

DISCLOSE
DEMAND:
We demand transparency and disclosure of investments at Saint Mary's College of California. This includes detailed information about conflicts of interests and the donations and investments of our boards and brothers. Additionally, the college should provide breakdowns of how we are specifically invested in oppressive and violent systems (e.g. prison, weapons, fossil fuels, etc.) and disclose a plan for divestment.
 
WHY: There is a lack of transparency regarding the financial investment portfolio of Saint Mary's College of California, including details about where funds are invested and the social and ethical implications of these investments. Without transparency, students, faculty, and staff are unable to fully understand and assess the potential impact of the college's investment decisions.

DIVEST
DEMAND:
We demand immediate divestment from any companies identified by the BDS Movement and Palestinian civil societies as complicit in Israeli war crimes and human rights violations against Palestinians. This includes companies such as Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, General Dynamics, Hyundai, Bobcat, Hitachi, Caterpillar, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Matrix IT, JA Solar, Booking Holdings, Hewlett Packard Inc (HP Inc), Chevron (including Caltex and Texaco brands), Siemens, PUMA, Carrefour, AXA, SodaStream, Ahava, RE/MAX, Elbit Systems, Intel, Barclays, HikVision, TKH Security. The college must conduct a thorough review of its investment portfolio and take concrete steps to divest from these companies in alignment with ethical investment principles.
 
WHY: Saint Mary's College of California's financial investments may include holdings in companies that are complicit in Israeli war crimes and human rights violations against Palestinians. By investing in these companies, the college may be indirectly contributing to the perpetuation of violence and injustice in the region. This contradicts the college's values of social justice, human rights, and ethical responsibility.

EDUCATE
DEMANDS:
We demand the development of more courses in dialogue with MENA scholars and communities that focus on Palestinian, MENA, Arab, and SWANA cultures. These courses should explore various aspects of culture, history, literature, art, and politics, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the region and its people.
We demand the implementation of a Jan Term course specifically focused on Palestine, offering students the opportunity to study the history, politics, culture, and current issues related to Palestine in-depth.
We demand the hiring of faculty in the ethnic studies department who specialize in teaching courses related to Palestine, Islam, and the Orient from a post-colonial perspective. These faculty members should bring expertise and lived experiences that enrich students' learning and promote critical engagement with issues of identity, power, and representation.
We demand the inclusion of readings related to Palestine, MENA, Arab, and SWANA cultures in the Seminar curriculum. These readings should expose students to diverse perspectives and narratives, challenging dominant narratives and fostering critical thinking and empathy.
WHY: There is a lack of comprehensive education and awareness about Palestine, MENA (Middle East and North Africa), Arab, and SWANA (South West Asian and North African) cultures at Saint Mary's College of CA. This gap in education perpetuates misconceptions and ignorance about the region and its people, contributing to the marginalization and erasure of Palestinian narratives and experiences. Without adequate representation and engagement with Palestinian and MENA cultures in the curriculum, students are deprived of opportunities to develop a nuanced understanding of the complex socio-political dynamics in the region and the impact of colonialism and imperialism. This lack of education not only hinders students' ability to engage critically with global issues but also undermines the institution's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.