Alumni for University of Colorado Boulder Divestment

Dear President Todd Saliman and Chancellor Phillip P. DeStefano,

We are writing this letter as alumni of the University of Colorado system in solidarity with the student encampment. We demand for the University of Colorado to divest from Israel. We stand in fully solidarity with the Students for Democratic Society and their demands that state:

Drop all charges against student protesters and support the right to freedom of speech: This right includes not singling out particular viewpoints for censorship, protecting students from targeted discriminatory harassment and violence, leaving ample space for students to express themselves, and recognizing that armed police on campus endanger students’ safety
Divestment: The University of Colorado shall fully divest from any corporations which operate in Israel.
Refuse Grants: The University of Colorado shall refuse to accept grants or funding from corporations that contract with the U.S armed forces and terminate any relationships with said corporations.
End Study Abroad: The University of Colorado shall terminate their study abroad programs to Israel.
Statement: The University of Colorado shall release a statement that condemns Israel and the genocidal actions it has committed against Palestine.
Transparency: The University of Colorado will disclose the university’s financial investments.
Meeting: CU President Todd Saliman and Chancellor Phillip P. DeStefano, shall meet with alumni organizers and students to discuss a plan to implement the above demands.

As former students, we have paid hundreds of thousands into the University of Colorado system that is actively supporting a genocide abroad. We believe that it is our duty as alumni to speak up against the violence that Israel and its supporters have enacted here and abroad, including the violence that students, faculty, staff and alumni have faced when police have shown up to a peaceful demonstration. Students were exercising their constitutional First Amendment right to protest and we are appalled by the actions taken by the University to silence and dismiss the student’s demands while jeopardizing their safety.

We will continue to do all in our power to stand with Palestine and the students on Auraria Campus and condemn Israel’s actions and its supporters, including our own alma mater as long as it continues to stand with Israel, even in the face of genocide.

Signed,