To the members of the Fordham Community,
We in the United Student Government, deriving from our charge to advocate for the Student Body of this University, believe that a demonstration is necessary to recognize the issues of gun violence in this country and the need for common sense gun reform. Joining with members of our community at Fordham University at Lincoln Center, as well as students in Jesuit institutions across the nation, we invite you to join us in a walkout of classes and programming at 10am on Wednesday, March 14th, 2018. The walkout will begin at 10am and start at 10:10am and will observe a demonstration of silence for 17 minutes, in commemoration of 17 students and teachers killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Our Jesuit tradition calls us all to be aware of the issues in the world and advocate as men and women for and with others. In the wake of the horrible tragedy that occurred in Parkland, Florida, we would like to come together to observe a moment of silence and call for action. Fr. McShane S.J., called on us as students to be the carriers of this movement and not to stay silent amidst tragedy around the country. Being inspired by the student activists of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, we would like to stand in solidarity and take up responsibility as changemakers that this world needs.
We ask that the Department of Academic Affairs and the Office of the Provost reflect on this issue and allow our students to exercise their rights to demonstrate. To club leaders, we ask that you join us in this effort and to reflect on how to program in the future to stand in solidarity with the affected people of this world. Finally, to the whole Student Body of Fordham University at Rose Hill, we ask that you join us on Edward’s Parade at 10am on the 14th to show our lawmakers that enough is enough. In the words of Fr. Gustavo Gutiérrez, O.P., “The building of a just society means overcoming every obstacle to the creation of authentic peace.”
In Solidarity,
United Student Government