PSC President James Davis issued the following statement on March 14th, in response to the increasing repression of student workers and activists at Columbia University:
“The Professional Staff Congress/CUNY (AFT 2334) stands in solidarity with the Student Workers of Columbia (UAW 2170) as they face the impact of radical right-wing extremist attacks on their university. Columbia administrators responded to White House pressure tactics by firing the SWC president the day before contract negotiations were scheduled to start, then canceling the negotiations. An injury to one is an injury to all! Collaboration with the Trump administration on threatened cuts to federal grants has only led to more draconian actions against the Columbia community: the unlawful arrest and effort to deport a student protest leader with legal permanent U.S. resident status, ICE agents in dormitories, the evisceration of academic freedom and free speech, and more. If the Trump administration can get away with it here, where does it end? As fellow academic workers, fellow New Yorkers, and defenders of civil liberties, we call for a forceful defense of UAW 2170 and constitutional rights at Columbia.”
Published: March 14, 2025
