I would like to share this letter with the UB community in order to promote awareness about the conference "Standing Against Empire" which an article "Students and Faculty Voice Concerns About Civil Unrest in Haiti" in the March 26 issue briefly mentioned.
A small group of students along with Professor Khalil Nieves have worked hard these past several months in organizing this daylong conference, which is to take place Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. and going until 7 p.m. in Clemens 120.
The Institute of Justice and Equity strives to educate and take action against what we believe is an unjust U.S. foreign policy. With the continuing consolidation of the media outlets, the American public has become limited in obtaining alternate viewpoints. It is through thorough research and reading sources from independent media outlets that we educate ourselves on what is a more accurate view of what the United States does in our name.
I would also like to address a troubling trend that many of our members have noticed in posting flyers for our weekly video discussion series as well as for the conference. Students who are obviously upset with what we are trying to achieve often tear down our flyers. I am certain that our group has been specifically targeted as flyers often "disappear" within a day of being put up while surrounding ones remain untouched.
A university environment is supposed to encourage intellectual discussion but apparently some people are too close-minded. To anyone that has torn down one of our flyers, I encourage you to attend our conference on Saturday and then you can make your own educated decision.
Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for community/staff and include two meals. Topics that will be discussed include U.S. foreign policy in Haiti, Nigeria, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as an additional presentation on the prison industrial complex.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
