25 signatures reached
To: California Faculty Association (CFA), C. Toombs, President
California Faculty Association, take a stand against neo-McCarthyism
We, the undersigned, support a petition by Lars Maischak to the California Faculty Association, asking that CFA
1) investigate the actions of its officials who sided with California State University Fresno (Fresno State) against their faculty member, Lars Maischak, when he was targeted by violent, neo-McCarthyist organizations;
2) hold accountable those of its officials who were responsible for CFA's failure to defend victims of neo-McCarthyism;
3) adopt a policy committing CFA to siding with the victims of neo-McCarthyism; and
4) take a public stance against neo-McCarthyism.
Why is this important?
Labor unions, as organizations in civil society that form the groundwork of a democratic, pluralistic society, need determined, courageous leadership that understands the threat of fascism, and is willing and able to stand up to it.
A union representing academic workers, who are under a systematic assault by well-financed right-wing groups (like Turning Point USA, which maintains a “Professor Watch-List”), has a particular responsibility in that regard.
In the case of Lars Maischak, CFA accepted, defended, and continues to defend the decision by CSU to remove a faculty member from the classroom, accepting it as justified because the faculty member had been the target of violent threats by right-wing groups and individuals.
This is a case of capitulation in the face of politically motivated violence unacceptable for a labor union in a democracy.
There is no shame in admitting the complicity of your organization with right-wing violence. The only shame is in continuing to pretend it did not happen. By delegitimizing the experience and perspective of the victim, CFA keeps the victimization alive.
CFA should take this petition as an invitation to become an effective force for the defense of democracy.
For documentation, please see:
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/yq9vcp8oi9s4e/
How it will be delivered
By email