Menu Close

APALA Statement on Student Protests

CONTACT:
Silvia Lew
Co-Chair, Media & Publicity Committee
Asian Pacific American Librarians Association
communications@apalaweb.org 

The Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) stands in solidarity with the numerous student-led nationwide protests. Students have the right to peacefully protest against the continued bombardment of Gaza by the Israeli government, as well as the right to demand that their respective colleges and universities divest from Israeli interests. APALA advocates and supports academic freedom and the right for all peoples to research, teach, and communicate ideas without the fear of being targeted with retaliation, job loss, or imprisonment. We are outraged at the use of militarized law enforcement and violent attacks to suppress campus protests and encampments, which has only served to escalate tensions as well as threaten the safety and rights of the campus community. 

APALA is rooted in the values of social justice, and stands with these brave students and their civil right to exercise free speech. We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza.  

###

Founded in 1980, the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations to APALA are tax deductible and support our work for library services, programs, scholarships, awards, and grants related to library services benefiting Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, and AANHPI library staff.