Letter of Support: Penn State BDS Conference

Dr. Amy Guttman
President
University of Pennsylvania

January 26, 2012

Dear President Guttman:

On behalf of the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), I am writing about an issue of grave concern regarding the national BDS conference, which is taking place on your campus the from Feb. 3-5.

AMP is pleased this conference is taking place on your campus and we commend the University of Pennsylvania for abiding by the principles, namely freedom of speech, academic freedom, the free expression of ideas and the freedom of association, which have made our universities among the best in the world.

The freedom to express ideas in confidence and without fear of recrimination is the mark of a truly democratic society and is one of the key foundations upon which our country is built. We must all work together to protect the sanctity of this ideal, especially on our university campuses. AMP is alarmed at the increasing attacks by people, who want to control the dialogue, against students who are advocating for human rights and justice for the Palestinian people.

We are calling upon you to stand firmly against pressure to stifle the free exchange of ideas. We ask the University of Pennsylvania to uphold its students’ guaranteed right of free speech and assembly and continue to encourage them to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right of political expression.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,

Dr. Hatem Bazian
AMP chairman
Professor of Near East and Ethnic Studies
University of California, Berkeley