Columbia Students Protest Ahmadinejad

A group of Columbia University undergraduates will protest a dinner slated to take place Wednesday evening between a group of fellow Columbia students and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

CIRCA (Columbia International Relations Council and Association), a student group, plans to dine with Mr. Ahmadinejad in an off-the-record meeting in midtown Manhattan. Shirin Nariman, a former Iranian political prisoner, will address the rally, which will conclude in a moment of silence and solidarity with the people of Iran.

The organizers of the rally issued this statement:

“CIRCA (Columbia International Relations Council and Association) has a right to meet with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but they do not represent all Columbia students. They do not speak for us—they do not speak for anyone but themselves. “As fellow students, we cannot stand idly by as intelligent members of our community, however small a number, choose to break bread with a recognized dictator and serial abuser of human rights. Columbia students are morally obligated to refuse Ahmadinejad the legitimizing effect of their presence. We hope that this serves as a call to consider the moral implications of our actions both as human beings and representatives of Columbia University.”

When: Wednesday, September 21st, 12:00-1:00 PM

Where: Furnald Plaza at Columbia University (Campus entrance at 115th Street and Broadway).

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=153420051415642

 

Eric Shapiro, Co-Organizer, Columbia College ’13, cam be reached at ejs2168@columbia.edu