Coalition of Faculty, Staff and Students adopt non-violence stance for all events

Following in the tradition of Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez, Ghandi, MLK, Cesar Chavezon February 25, 2010 the California Faculty Association (CFA) – SFSU Chapter adopted a statement of non-violence regarding all events they are co-sponsoring for the March 4, 2010 Statewide Day of Action.  Catherine Powell of the SFSU Labor Archives drafted the statement because violent actions infringe on the Constitutional right to protest. She strongly believes that social change must be non-violent in order to make real lasting positive changes.  The statement reads as follows:

* California Faculty Association (CFA), San Francisco State University Chapter shares in the anger and frustration of students, faculty and staff regarding budget cuts that are destroying public education. We believe that peaceful protest and civil disobedience are powerful forces for change in a democratic society, and we defend the rights of individuals and organizations to practice them. However, CFA does not support or condone violence in any form. We oppose any vandalism or destruction of property. We also oppose the excessive use of force by law enforcement. This is our university – students, faculty, staff, and the community – and such acts undermine efforts to protect San Francisco State from those who would dismantle it. We seek a university founded upon mutual respect, social justice and accountability.

According to Ramon Castellblanch, President for the CFA -SFSU chapter, “Our March 4th political actions are about showing state and federal politicians that Californians want them to fully fund public education.  Our actions are also about building public support to put more pressure on these office-holders.  We know that non-violent mass action is an indispensible way of showing Sacramento and Washington how much we support education.” Because of threats of violence and violent actions that have occurred on other campus the CFA and other organizations coordinating with the CFA on March campus activities have pledged to avoid any acts of violence or vandalism to keep these events informative and engaging as opposed to violent and dangerous.