GEO Statement on Iran Protests
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Graduate Employees Organization Local 6300
GEO Statement on Iran Protests
The Graduate Employees’ Organization (IFT/AFT Local 6300) stands in solidarity with the Iranian community across the University of Illinois system and in Iran. We condemn the violent attacks of students at universities and academic institutions who are protesting and fighting against the violation of women’s rights.
Protests in Iran and in the Iranian diaspora began after the killing of Mahsa (Jina) Amini by the “morality” police on September 16th, 2022. Despite extreme violence by the government, courageous Iranian people, especially women, have been marching in the streets in protest. The internet access has been restricted ever since in order to prevent news about the violent crackdown from spreading. The events in Iran aren’t just an incident, they are direct violations of women’s rights and their bodily autonomy.
On October 2nd, Sharif and Tabriz universities were besieged by the police. They shot, beat and arrested the protesting students on campus. Since then, universities all over Iran have been sites of brutal attacks by the regime forces. Many of these universities are the alma mater of many of Iranian students and professors at UIUC. These events are extremely traumatic for the Iranian community and limited communication with family and friends in Iran has added significantly to their hardship.
More than 40 universities across the world have issued a statement of support for their Iranian students and scholars and have condemned the university attacks and gross violation of human rights in Iran, while the University of Illinois has remained largely silent. On October 4th, the International Student and Scholar Services sent private emails to Iranian students and scholars on campus, after numerous emails from the students asking for support. The only public statements issued by university officials have been by Dr. Jeff Brown, Dean of Gies College of Business on October 7, and Dr. Rashid Bashir, Dean of Grainger College of Engineering on October 18.
We recognize the complex relationship the US and its institutions have with Iran and its regime. We reject any statement that wants to usurp Iranians’ voice for a more dignified life, free from oppression, by forces of imperialism and Zionism. We reject any condemnation of the violence that is simultaneously advocating for a collective punishment on Iran and its people.
We demand the university issue a public statement supporting the Iranian community on campus and condemning the human rights violations in Iran. In addition, as an academic institution, the university should condemn the brutal attacks on other academic institutions. The university claims that the diversity of the students makes it impossible for them to react to every incident impacting their students. While that may be true, they choose to react to some events and not others. The University of Illinois’ lack of public response sends a very clear message to the community, extending an already long history of negligence towards its middle eastern students’ needs and concerns. This is intolerable and we ask for immediate rectification from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
We also demand that the University administration:
Provide application fee waivers and deadline extensions for Iranian applicants, many of whom are victims of this brutal repression and the internet disruption prevents them from taking the required English exams and completing their application materials.
Offer scholarships or other forms of financial aid for the Iranian students who are getting kicked out of their schools for protesting and will not be able to graduate.
Provide additional therapy and counseling services for Iranian students.
Encourage and support faculty and staff to accommodate the needs of Iranian students, including but not limited to showing understanding during this crisis and extending leniency in terms of research progress, assignments, and deadlines.
We support all those struggling for life and dignity in Iran and in the Iranian diaspora. To our fellow graduate workers (TAs and RAs) and community members, we urge you to reach out to your Iranian students, friends, labmates, and colleagues to extend your support and care.
The Graduate Employees’ Organization, AFT/IFT Local 6300, AFL-CIO, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, represents approximately 2,700 Teaching and Graduate Assistants on the UIUC Campus. In November 2009 and in February 2018, over 1,000 GEO members and allies participated in a strike to secure a fair contract and more accessible UIUC campus. With an active presence in the community, the GEO continues to work for high-quality and accessible public education in Illinois.
For more information, please contact geo@uigeo.org. More information can also be found on GEO’s website at www.uiucgeo.org.
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