In our capacity as the Executive Board for the Columbia Journal of Asia, we stand in firm solidarity with all students, faculty, and supporters of Palestinian liberation. We believe it is necessary to commend you all for your bravery, courage, strength and commitment to divestment from Israel and principles of freedom of expression. To all of those who have stayed in the Gaza Solidarity Encampment and those who have supported it, we give you all the strength we can to resist the various bodies of oppression on campus.
As an academic publication that seeks to amplify Asian and Asian diasporic voices, we condemn the university’s attempts to censor the community. We recognize that the institution of academia as it stands has been utilized as a weapon against black and brown people. It is crucial for us to emphasize that the institution, which allegedly claims to support diverse perspectives, prioritizes profit over people. CJA believes that education, freedom of speech, freedom to protest, and freedom of the press are paramount to building an anti-colonial and anti-imperial world where Palestine and all oppressed peoples will be free.
Education and activism go hand in hand. Revolutions begin with ideas and can only be sustained by people who truly believe in them.
You all have shown us that this institution will not win. We applaud all the educated young people who have gathered these past few days to fight against the violence of the Columbia administration and who had to suffer the brutality of the NYPD.
Thank you for fighting for a better future for Palestine and for us all. To our comrades, we support you and send you strength.
In solidarity,
The Executive Board of the Columbia Journal of Asia