Public Policy
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from public policy organizations whose goal it is to influence the debate Washington.
Featured Stories
Water Heater Standards Set to Slash Bills and Pollution
WASHINGTON, May 1 (TNSres) -- The Appliance Standards Awareness Project, an organization that says it advocates for appliance, equipment and lighting standards that cut planet-warming emissions, posted the following news release on April 30, 2024:
One of the biggest energy users in most homes will be significantly more efficient thanks to improved standards finalized by the Department of Energy (DOE) today. The standards for new water heaters will save many households about $170 each year on utility bills and avert 332 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over three decades of sales,
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WASHINGTON, May 1 (TNSres) -- The Appliance Standards Awareness Project, an organization that says it advocates for appliance, equipment and lighting standards that cut planet-warming emissions, posted the following news release on April 30, 2024:
One of the biggest energy users in most homes will be significantly more efficient thanks to improved standards finalized by the Department of Energy (DOE) today. The standards for new water heaters will save many households about $170 each year on utility bills and avert 332 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over three decades of sales,according to DOE.
The standards--due six years ago by law--are largely based on efficiency levels recommended by a coalition of manufacturers and consumer, energy efficiency, and environmental advocates. The new standards will take effect in 2029.
Steven Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, said: "Water heating is one of the biggest energy uses in most homes, and these standards are going to cut that demand significantly. Saving this much energy has a big impact in reducing household costs and climate pollution. The icing on the cake is that this will reduce strain on the electric grid for a long time to come."
Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, said: "The technology for water heaters has advanced dramatically, and the standards have not kept up. Stakeholders came together and recommended efficiency levels that will reduce energy use significantly and yield big cost savings. This is going to move much of the electric market from decades-old technology that costs a lot to run to heat pump units that use less than half as much energy."
Margie Alt, director of the Climate Action Campaign, said: "The newly finalized hot water efficiency standards will cut more than 300 million metric tons of climate pollution and save families about $170 per year on their utility bills. These new Solutions for Pollution will deliver serious benefits to families and our environment, and for that President Biden and Secretary Granholm deserve serious thanks."
Courtney Griffin, director of consumer product safety at the Consumer Federation of America, said: "The new water heaters standards are a significant win for consumers. Water heaters are one of the largest energy users in our homes. The new standards allow for a shift to more-efficient technology. This means that consumers can expect considerably reduced energy bills."
Johanna Neumann, senior director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy at Environment America Research & Policy Center, said: "The cleanest energy is the energy we never need to use in the first place. We all use hot water, so we'll all benefit from the energy savings and pollution reductions that this rule provides. By embracing a transition away from outdated, inefficient water heaters, the Biden administration is delivering Americans lower utility bills and cleaner air to breathe."
Becca Yates, executive director of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, said: "The new federal consumer water heating standard is a stellar example of how long-term collaboration between utilities, manufacturers, trade allies, efficiency organizations, and consumer advocates can deliver lasting market change leading to tremendous energy savings for all Northwest customers. The alliance will continue to collaborate with the market to bring this standard to its fullest potential to ensure affordable and reliable hot water energy-efficient solutions for residential, multifamily, commercial, and industrial customers."
Joe Vukovich, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) staff attorney, said: "This move will save energy, lower utility bills for consumers, and reduce climate-warming pollution. The efficiency standards program is one of the strongest tools we have in fighting the climate crisis and on average efficiency standards cut household utility bills by $500 a year. These long-overdue standards will help facilitate wider adoption of climate-friendly efficient heat pumps and ensure Americans are not forced to rely on outdated and inefficient technology."
Residential water heater standards--last updated in 2010--set separate minimum efficiency levels for different classes of models, including electric tank water heaters, gas-fired tank water heaters, and gas-fired instantaneous ("tankless") models. The single-largest impact will come from the strengthened standards for electric tank models; most models will use less than half as much energy as most of today's by using proven heat pump technology. The agency did not finalize new standards for the tankless models, saying today it is still considering comments regarding updating standards for those products.
More information on the standards is available in a new Appliance Standards Awareness Project fact sheet.
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The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a nonprofit research organization, develops policies to reduce energy waste and combat climate change. Its independent analysis advances investments, programs, and behaviors that use energy more effectively and help build an equitable clean energy future.
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The Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) advocates for appliance, equipment, and lighting standards that cut planet-warming emissions and other air pollution, save water, and reduce economic and environmental burdens for low- and moderate-income households. ASAP's steering committee includes representatives from environmental and efficiency nonprofits, consumer groups, the utility sector, and state government.
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The Climate Action Campaign (CAC) is a vibrant coalition of dozens of major national environment, environmental justice, and public health groups, working together to drive ambitious, durable federal action based on science, to address the climate crisis. Our goal is to reduce climate pollution and accelerate the transition to clean energy in ways that support justice, jobs, health and economic opportunity for all.
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The Consumer Federation of America is a national organization of more than 250 nonprofit consumer groups that was founded in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education.
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Environment America Research & Policy Center is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We work to protect the places we love, advance the environmental values we share, and win real results for our environment.
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The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is a non-profit organization working to effect market transformation through the acceleration and adoption of energy-efficient products, services and practices. NEEA is an alliance of more than 140 Northwest utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf of more than 13 million energy consumers.
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NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law, and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health, and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).
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Original text here: https://appliance-standards.org/document/water-heater-standards-set-slash-bills-and-pollution
[Category: Environment]
Sierra Club: White House NEPA Rule Is an Important Step Toward a Just Clean Energy Future
WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The Sierra Club issued the following news release on April 30, 2024:
Today, the Biden administration's White House Council on Environmental Quality released a final rule guiding federal decision making under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
This rulemaking, which was initiated with Phase 1 in 2022, reverses Trump-era attacks on the bedrock environmental protection, as well as ensuring reviews fully and accurately consider the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of proposed projects and that affected communities are consulted as early as possible.
In response,
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WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The Sierra Club issued the following news release on April 30, 2024:
Today, the Biden administration's White House Council on Environmental Quality released a final rule guiding federal decision making under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
This rulemaking, which was initiated with Phase 1 in 2022, reverses Trump-era attacks on the bedrock environmental protection, as well as ensuring reviews fully and accurately consider the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of proposed projects and that affected communities are consulted as early as possible.
In response,Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous released the following statement:
"This rule is yet another reminder that we do not have to choose between environmental justice and meeting our energy needs. Through this commonsense reform, we can unlock the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act and bring abundant clean energy resources online without sacrificing communities or rubber-stamping more fossil fuels. We applaud the Biden administration for taking this important step toward ensuring certainty, efficiency, and transparency in the federal environmental review process."
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action.
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Original text here: https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2024/04/sierra-club-white-house-nepa-rule-important-step-toward-just-clean-energy
[Category: Environment]
LCV Statement On MAGA House Republican Giveaway to Big Polluters
WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The League of Conservation Voters issued the following statement on April 30, 2024:
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In response to today's House votes that are a giveaway to Big Polluters, H.R.3397, H.R.615, H.R.764, and H.R.3195, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) issued the following statement from Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick:
"The Biden-Harris administration spent Earth Month building on their already-impressive environmental record with even more bold, historic action to tackle the climate crisis and environmental injustice, create jobs, lower energy costs, reduce pollution,
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WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The League of Conservation Voters issued the following statement on April 30, 2024:
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In response to today's House votes that are a giveaway to Big Polluters, H.R.3397, H.R.615, H.R.764, and H.R.3195, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) issued the following statement from Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick:
"The Biden-Harris administration spent Earth Month building on their already-impressive environmental record with even more bold, historic action to tackle the climate crisis and environmental injustice, create jobs, lower energy costs, reduce pollution,and protect public lands. Extreme MAGA Republicans were back in session for less than a day before attempting to start rolling that progress back. These extreme bills are a gift to Big Polluters and would have devastating impacts on our country's public lands and waters, and wildlife at the expense of the climate and our communities."
Last night, LCV sent a letter to the House to oppose H.R. 6285, H.R. 3397, H.R. 3195, H.R. 2925, H.R. 764, and H.R. 615. LCV will strongly consider including votes on these bills in the 2024 National Environmental Scorecard.
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Original text here: https://www.lcv.org/media-center/lcv-statement-on-maga-house-republican-giveaway-to-big-polluters/
[Category: Environment]
Groups Urge Gov. Kemp to Sign Legislation Pausing Tax Breaks for Data Centers
ATLANTA, Georgia, May 1 -- Environment Georgia issued the following news release:
Environment Georgia is leading an effort urging Gov. Brian Kemp to sign HB 1192, which would pause tax credits given to data centers and investigate the energy impacts they have on Georgia. The bill was introduced by state Rep. John Carson.
Just a few days after Earth Day, Environment Georgia and eight allied organizations delivered a letter to Gov. Kemp applauding the legislation and raising concerns around the increased pollution and costs that come when data centers are powered by fossil fuels and other forms
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ATLANTA, Georgia, May 1 -- Environment Georgia issued the following news release:
Environment Georgia is leading an effort urging Gov. Brian Kemp to sign HB 1192, which would pause tax credits given to data centers and investigate the energy impacts they have on Georgia. The bill was introduced by state Rep. John Carson.
Just a few days after Earth Day, Environment Georgia and eight allied organizations delivered a letter to Gov. Kemp applauding the legislation and raising concerns around the increased pollution and costs that come when data centers are powered by fossil fuels and other formsof dirty energy.
Data centers are energy intensive, many using more than 200 megawatts (MW) of power. The United States Department of Energy estimates that 1 MW could power 1,000 homes. In 2023 Environment Georgia released a report that looked at the solar potential of data center and warehouse space around the country. The report found that Georgia could generate enough energy to power 753,000 homes on the roofs of data centers and warehouses alone.
"Giving data centers a tax break with no thought to their impact on our environment and utility bill payers is bad policy," said Jennette Gayer, director of Environment Georgia. "We hope the Governor signs this common sense legislation."
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Original text here: https://environmentamerica.org/georgia/media-center/groups-urge-gov-kemp-to-sign-legislation-pausing-tax-breaks-for-data-centers/
[Category: Environment]
Earthjustice: In Response to Lawsuit, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agrees to Reevaluate Industrial Shellfish Dredging in Long Island Wildlife Refuge
OYSTER BAY, New York, May 1 -- Earthjustice issued the following news release on April 30, 2024:
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved an agreement binding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to evaluate whether industrial shellfish dredging in the Congressman Lester Wolff Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge conflicts with wildlife protection. The agreement follows a lawsuit (https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/oysterbay_complaint_april2023.pdf) filed in 2023 by the North Oyster Bay Baymen's Association and the Center for Food Safety, both represented
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OYSTER BAY, New York, May 1 -- Earthjustice issued the following news release on April 30, 2024:
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved an agreement binding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to evaluate whether industrial shellfish dredging in the Congressman Lester Wolff Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge conflicts with wildlife protection. The agreement follows a lawsuit (https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/oysterbay_complaint_april2023.pdf) filed in 2023 by the North Oyster Bay Baymen's Association and the Center for Food Safety, both representedby Earthjustice, challenging the Service's decades-long failure to prevent harm from industrial shellfish dredging.
The Refuge includes over 3,200 acres of underwater land located along the north shore of Long Island, near the Town of Oyster Bay in eastern Nassau County. It was established to protect migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife, and it supports iconic and protected species including bald eagles, osprey, shorebirds, and sea turtles. Historically, the Refuge provided important habitat for shellfish, yielding about 90% of New York State's total oyster harvest and 40% of its hard clam harvest each year -- but shellfish populations in the Refuge have suffered a sharp decline.
In February 2022, the Service refused to reevaluate the effects of industrial shellfish dredging in the Refuge as required by law -- even though reevaluation is nearly two decades overdue and a growing body of scientific evidence indicates that industrial shellfish dredging damages aquatic habitat, degrades water quality, and harms birds, fish, and other wildlife. Today's agreement reverses that refusal, committing the Service to act within two years to reevaluate the effects of industrial dredging. The Service will make a draft reevaluation available for public comment before finalizing its new decision.
"For nearly 40 years, I've used hand tools to harvest shellfish from waters in and around the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge, just as my great-grandfather did before me," said Billy Painter, president of the North Oyster Bay Baymen's Association. "Over the years, I've noticed serious declines in shellfish populations, and I've seen many hand-harvesters move to different, more dangerous areas or give up shellfishing entirely. Together with the Baymen's Association, I greatly appreciate the Service's commitment to reconsider the ecosystem-wide effects of industrial shellfish dredging, and I hope that Service will exercise its authority to prevent further harm."
Federal law requires the Service to ensure that the purposes of each National Wildlife Refuge are carried out. Accordingly, the Service may allow use of a refuge only if it first determines that the use is "compatible" with the refuge's purposes. It must reevaluate ongoing uses at least once every 10 years -- and more frequently if conditions change or new information becomes available. The Service may request modifications to an ongoing use to ensure that it remains compatible. In addition, the Service must issue special use permits to authorize commercial use of a refuge.
The Town of Oyster Bay has authority to allow shellfish harvesting in the Refuge, provided that it does not interfere with wildlife protection. Despite evidence that industrial shellfish dredging does, in fact, interfere with the protection of wildlife, the Town has allowed the use of hydraulic dredges, which deploy powerful water jets to loosen sediment and dislodge shellfish, and suction dredges, which operate like large vacuum cleaners, using a hose to suction up sand, shellfish, and other creatures from the seafloor.
Federal and state agencies, including the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, have expressed concern that industrial shellfish dredging damages habitat for fish and other species.
"Just like industrial agriculture harms our lands, industrial aquaculture is harmful to aquatic ecosystems and everyone who relies on them, including traditional harvesters. Fish and Wildlife Service must do its duty to protect this unique refuge for the benefit of all: humans and animals alike," said Amy van Saun, senior attorney with Center for Food Safety. "We have seen what happens when the federal government fails to protect aquatic ecosystems from the proliferation of industrial shellfish farming in Washington State, and we are hoping FWS does not make the same mistake in New York."
Industrial dredges damage habitat by scraping the seafloor, leaving lasting scars, and erasing complex natural structures used by fish and other species for shelter and nursery areas. Industrial dredges also damage habitat by disturbing sand, silt, and clay on the seafloor and dispersing these materials into the water column. Suspended sediment churned up by industrial dredges spreads beyond the site of original disturbance, sometimes travelling hundreds of meters away. As sediment re-settles, it changes the texture and composition of the seafloor, harming fish and shellfish, as well as birds and other species that rely on fish and shellfish for food.
According to a survey commissioned by the Town of Oyster Bay, clam abundance declined by 44% from 2013 to 2018, and clams now are present at fewer locations included in the survey area.
"The Congressman Lester Wolff Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge is beloved by New Yorkers and visited by iconic wildlife species including bald eagles, osprey, and sea turtles," said Earthjustice attorney Alexis Andiman. "We're pleased that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has committed to carrying out its long-overdue obligations to protect this special place, and together with our partners, we look forward to ensuring that the Service conducts a thorough and careful reevaluation, which will help to preserve the Refuge for future generations."
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
* April 26, 2023 - Press Release: Shellfish Harvesters and Conservationists Challenge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Refusal to Oversee Industrial Shellfish Dredging in Long Island Refuge
* June 11, 2020 - Press Release describing the Center for Food Safety's work relating to industrial shellfish aquaculture in Washington State
* About the Sustainable Food & Farming Program
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ABOUT EARTHJUSTICE
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
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Original text here: https://earthjustice.org/press/2024/in-response-to-lawsuit-u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-agrees-to-reevaluate-industrial-shellfish-dredging-in-long-island-wildlife-refuge
[Category: Environment]
Council on American-Islamic Relations: Take Action - Urge UMBC Administrators to Drop Charges Against Student Group Over Campus Advocacy
BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 1 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued the following news release:
The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is joining over thirty Maryland mosques and Muslim community organizations in the IMAN Network in calling on officials at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) to drop charges against the campus' Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), alleging the group violated the university's Code of Student Organization Conduct by holding a peaceful protest earlier this semester.
In March, the UMBC SJP board learned
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 1 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued the following news release:
The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is joining over thirty Maryland mosques and Muslim community organizations in the IMAN Network in calling on officials at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) to drop charges against the campus' Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), alleging the group violated the university's Code of Student Organization Conduct by holding a peaceful protest earlier this semester.
In March, the UMBC SJP board learnedthat administrators had charged the student group with allegedly violating its policies following a peaceful protest the group held at a campus Starbucks in February to raise awareness about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. SJP members report that they notified campus police and the Office of Student Affairs beforehand, and campus police were present during the action.
UMBC is a public university comprised of a diverse community that increasingly supports Palestinian human rights.
In a statement, CAIR's Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
"The university's decision to charge UMBC SJP with allegedly violating the campus code of conduct is especially troubling because student organizers took extra measures to keep administrators informed about their activities, and even invited them to attend and observe. As universities increasingly crack down on students supporting human rights and exercising their first amendment free speech rights, community organizations like ours are re-doubling our efforts to make sure that students' political viewpoints are protected at all costs. It is crucial to recognize that the right to peaceful protest and assembly is a fundamental tenet of democracy and an integral part of the educational experience. Punishing students for engaging in these activities stifles their freedom of expression and sends a dangerous message to the student body that their voices will be silenced if they dare to challenge the status quo. We join the IMAN Network in calling on the university to drop these charges and engage with SJP to discuss more constructive ways to address their concerns."
The Islamic Maryland Action Network (IMAN) is a statewide crisis response working group that represents over 350,000 Muslims in the state. Members include over two dozen mosques and Muslim organizations.
TAKE ACTION (https://bit.ly/umbcsjp)
SEE: IMAN Network: https://www.imanaction.org
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/take-action-urge-umbc-administrators-to-drop-charges-against-student-group-over-campus-advocacy/
[Category: Sociological]
CodePink: DePaul University Joins List of College Encampments for Gaza
CHICAGO, Illinois, May 1 -- CodePink, a grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end U.S.-funded wars and occupations, to challenge militarism globally, issued the following news release on April 30, 2024:
A diverse coalition of Palestinian students and their allies, 8 student organizations, including the Student Government Association, Movimiento Estudiantil de Solidaridad y Apoyo (MESA), Black Student Union (BSU), Native American and Indigenous Student Association (NAISA), Students for Justice in Palestine at DePaul University (SJP), Jews for Justice (J4J), Students Against Incarceration
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CHICAGO, Illinois, May 1 -- CodePink, a grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end U.S.-funded wars and occupations, to challenge militarism globally, issued the following news release on April 30, 2024:
A diverse coalition of Palestinian students and their allies, 8 student organizations, including the Student Government Association, Movimiento Estudiantil de Solidaridad y Apoyo (MESA), Black Student Union (BSU), Native American and Indigenous Student Association (NAISA), Students for Justice in Palestine at DePaul University (SJP), Jews for Justice (J4J), Students Against Incarceration(SAI), Southwest Asian and North African Student Association (SWANA), and alumni took over the quad of DePaul University of Chicago's Lincoln Park campus the morning of April 30 to establish the latest campus encampment for Gaza in Chicago.
Over 150 individuals took part in establishing the encampment. Organizations supporting the encampment include American Muslims for Palestine, CODEPINK, Jewish Voice for Peace Chicago, Student for Justice in Palestine Chicago, and the US Palestinian Community Network.
The demands of the students reflect those of other encampments across the nation, they include:
* Disclose investments, budgets, and holdings of the University with the greater DePaul community.
* Divest from companies that advance Palestinian suffering and profit off the occupation.
* Acknowledge and condemn the ongoing genocide in Gaza
* Join the city of Chicago in calling for a ceasefire.
* Eliminate study abroad trips to Israel that discriminate against Palestinians and normalize Israel's occupation.
* End any research or collaborative relationships with Israeli Universities, which develop weapons and systems that oppress, control, imprison, and murder Palestinians.
* Establish an ethical advisory committee on investment responsibility that includes students, faculty, and staff.
* Creation of an Arab/SWANA Student Center.
* Amnesty for student protesters, organizers, and supporting faculty.
One student said the encampment comes after multiple discussions with the university's administration to acknowledge Israel's genocide campaign in Gaza that began on October 7. DePaul has failed to make a statement recognizing the genocide despite these efforts. Israel has murdered 40K Palestinians since October 7.
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Original text here: https://www.codepink.org/depaulencampment
[Category: International]
