Tag: Anika Sultana
-
Opinion: University administration, police target Palestinian UTD alum
On June 26 at 2 p.m., a state trooper in Denton County targeted and arrested recent UTD graduate and former president of Students for Justice in Palestine, Mousa Najjar. UTDPD authorized his arrest with the backing of Dean of Students Amanda Smith and university administration for protesting the ongoing occupation of Palestine and genocide in…
-
Editorial: Investigative journalism at stake — support The Mercury
UPDATE: As of July 22, The Mercury has raised $3,015 — enough to cover the $2,905 fee for reviewing the public records we requested as well as GoFundMe’s transaction fee. UTD’s Office of Legal Affairs said The Mercury is allowed to take photos and notes of the documents during the review process, which we will…
-
Despite administration’s silence, community supports 21 arrested at ‘Gaza Liberation Plaza’
In a historic first, UTD administration called in law enforcement with riot gear to destroy the “Gaza Liberation Plaza” encampment while arresting 21 students, faculty, alumni and community members. Despite outcry across the UTD community, administration has not responded to demands to drop legal charges and disciplinary action against those arrested. Students for Justice in…
-
‘They are just kids!’
Assistant professor of art history Ali Alibhai rushed to protect student protesters from what he saw as a militarized police force armed with weapons and willing to harm the protesters gathered at the encampment on May 1. His efforts to de-escalate and protect students were quickly quashed as police attacked, arrested and later chained him. …
-
From the ground: Gaza Liberation Plaza
As Palestinian solidarity encampments pop up across dozens of U.S. college campuses, UTD’s own Gaza Liberation Plaza joined a long running student-led campaign of activism calling for cease-fire and divestment. On the same day Gaza Liberation Plaza was created, state troopers and local law enforcement arrived on campus, destroyed the encampment and arrested the students,…
-
Collin County Jail releases detained protesters, families rejoice
As of 4:30 p.m. May 2, all 21 individuals arrested and detained at Collin County Jail after Texas law enforcement’s May 1 raid of UTD’s “Gaza Liberation Plaza” encampment were released. The arraignment process began around 9:30 a.m. May 2 and the first detainee — Associate Art History Professor Ali Asgar Alibhai — was released…
-
Comets, community members demand return of 21 individuals detained overnight at Collin County Jail
Nine students, three professors, one alum and eight community members were arrested after state troopers and local police stormed UTD’s “Gaza Liberation Plaza” encampment at 4 p.m. May 1. Officers transported the detainees to Collin County Jail, where they remained until the evening of May 2. Protests demanding the release of the 21 individuals began…
-
Comets create encampment in solidarity with Gaza
Students established a solidarity encampment with Gaza at the Chess Plaza, surrounded by walls made of cardboard, plywood and tires with a sign reading “Free Palestine: all the walls will fall.” State and local police forces arrived 4 p.m., tearing down the encampment and arresting at least 16 students and three professors less than 12…
-
Green Fee Referendum passes with 61% support
The Green Fee Referendum passed April 26. Of the 1,032 Comets who voted in the referendum, held from April 24 to 26, 628 students voted in favor of the environmental service fee, and 404 students voted against it. With a 224-vote victory margin, the process to implement the fee will move forward; the next step…
-
The protester’s polemic
As Gaza solidarity encampments pop up across the U.S., UTD’s own are among those protesting the involvement of their academic institution in what the International Court of Justice has called a “plausible genocide.” As Gov. Greg Abbott pushes for Texas to respond violently to campus protests while suppressing student activism through executive orders, it is…