Petition to make Rutgers campuses sanctuaries passes 3000 signatures
The Rutgers YDSA Sanctuary Campus Petition surpassed 3000 signatures | Photo: Rutgers YDSA Petition Page
A petition by the Rutgers chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) to make the three Rutgers campuses sanctuaries from federal immigration enforcement operations has surpassed 3000 signatures.
The petition calls for the Board of Governors to implement policies that prohibit University officials and officers from working with federal immigration enforcement operations.
The petition also calls for the University to protect transgender students, and for university health plans to cover gender affirming care, as well as recognize and support legal name changes for transitioning students.
Additional demands include the University preserving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, such as continuing support for University cultural centers, the support of accessibility and nondiscrimination programs for those with disabilities, and commitments to not cutting grants, funding or staff of all higher education departments.
The petition also calls on the University to protect free speech, the right to protest and the academic freedom of students, faculty and staff on campus.
The final demand of the petition is calls for the University to work with local municipalities to commit to noncompliance with Trump administration attacks on “immigrant, trans, or working class communities.”
The petition has around 900 signatures to its goal of 4000.