Students with the "Students for Justice in Palestine" (SJP UA) organization at the University of Alabama are renewing their list of demands that the school cut ties with companies linked to Israel, primarily in the defense industry, and more broadly, including Coca-Cola.
As reported by the Crimson White, representatives from the group attended a "Mornings with Mohler" event, where President Peter Mohler invited students to speak with him and reiterated the group's demands.
Omorose Emwanta, treasurer of SJP UA, told the Crimson White that the event was the "perfect opportunity" to "re-list" the organization's demands to Mohler.
"Although we appreciate that he's receptive to our long line of members discussing this with him, we're a bit wary that he will not follow up," Emwanta said, calling Mohler's receptiveness "empty promises" until any changes are made.
Emwanta is a frequent progressive protester. She was quoted in an AL.com story about her participation in the "Tide Against Trump" event ahead of President Donald Trump's visit to the school.
"We just wanted them to know that there are students at UA who do not want Trump's presence here," Emwanta, who at the time was described as being with UA Leftists & SJP UA, reportedly told AL.com. "Trump's presidency represents so many negative things. Trump's presidency has caused a great deal of stress and suffering in our lives."
SJP UA has frequently cited Hamas propaganda in its statements.
The Crimson White reported that the group's demands include that the University:
- Disclose investments made using the UA endowment fund
- Divest from weapons manufacturers and corporations targeted by the Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions movement
- Stop allowing weapons manufacturers to recruit at campus events
- Drop Lockheed Martin as a Career Champion Partner
- End research partnerships the Department of War
- Remove Ronald Grey from the Board of Trustees
- End its contract with Coca-Cola
The BDS movement has been criticized across the globe.
In 2020, during the first Trump administration, then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke out about the antisemitic efforts, saying, "We want to stand with all other nations that recognize the BDS movement for the cancer that it is, and we're committed to combating it." Pompeo made the comment at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
"I obviously need to go through and read it, but I'm very pleased that we have a very active group on campus and welcome dialogue and look forward to going through their concerns and make sure I get back to them," Mohler said, according to the Crimson White.
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