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The three-four minute reading of the citation of Card's degree was completely drowned out today by protesters. When asked, "where there any signs of support for him there?," NECN reporter Greg Wayland said "the only ones I saw were signs outside afterwards that said 'terrorism growing one liberal at a time' and that was a couple, two people holding those and about an hour ago they put the signs in their truck and drove away."
Watch the NECN News coverage, May 25th 2007
Check back for more news coverage.
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The University of Massachusetts has decided to award Andrew Card, Bush's former Chief of Staff, an honorary degree at the upcoming graduation ceremony on Friday May 25th. In addition to serving as Chief of Staff, Card is known to have headed the White House Iraq Group (WHIG), whose members included Karl Rove, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, and Condoleezza Rice, among others. This group is known for fabricating evidence in order to sell the invasion and war in Iraq. UMass students, faculty, and staff as well as community members are organizing to register opposition to this decision.
COMMENCEMENT DAY ACTIONS
Honor Students, Not War Criminals!
NO DEGREE FOR ANDREW CARD
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The following activities have been planned for commencement day, Friday, May 25th:
- Students, faculty, and staff will be handing out Alternative Anty-Card Commencement Programs (click here to read it) explaining who Card is, why we're protesting, and what people can do to join in the protest (email
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to volunteer or just show up at Mullins Center at 11:15).
- 12:00 pm - Protest and Rally, Outside Mullins Center, UMass (Directions) - we encourage people to take the bus, or carpool if necesary.
- 12:45 pm - Sing-along with the Raging Grannies
- 1:00 pm - Press Conference, Outside the Mullins Center, UMass
- 5 pm - Post Commencement Celebration, Amherst Library (Details, Directions).
The ceremony begins at 2:00, but 12:00 - 2:30 is the key time - that's when people will be entering the Mullins Center. We encourage your most creative, nonviolent responses. Signs, banners, songs, drums, puppets, and street theater are all very welcome. Please stay as long as you can: commencement will last several hours.
What to do inside Mullins Center?
If you're opposed to the presentation of an honorary degree to Andrew Card, here are a few things you can do:
Suggestions for everyone
During the announcement and presentation of Card’s degree:
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Wave the yellow leaflet** that volunteers will be passing out or another sign
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Join our chant “Honor Grads; Shame on Card”
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Show your opposition to Card by making as much noise as possible.
For Students receiving a degree
While receiving your degree:
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Hand in the accompanying “Honoring Card dishonors my degree”** card to the person handing you the degree; leave it on the stage if the person refuses to take it
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Wear a sticker** or sign on yourgown or cap – ask us for one or make one of your own.
For faculty and staff members seated at the stage:
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Wear a sticker** or sign on your gown or cap
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During all parts of the ceremony involving Andrew Card, we encourage faculty to
stand facing forward, to join our chant "Honor Grads, Shame on Card," and to hold up their yellow protest signs.
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If you are unable to join us in this action and still wish to express opposition to Card's degree, we ask you to turn your back during the parts of the ceremony involving Card.
** Volunteers will be passing them out at the entrance of Mullins Center just before the ceremony.
We are committed to preserving the ceremony for the graduate students and disrupting only the portion that focuses on Card. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE GRADUATE STUDENTS DESERVE OUR RESPECT. LET'S MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE ARE HONORING STUDENTS WHILE WE PROTEST CARD.
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HELP US GET RID OF ANDREW CARD!
Sign a petition to call on the UMass administration to revoke the honorary degree for Andrew Card!
For students, staff, faculty, and members of the UMass community:
http://www.petitiononline.com/no4card
For everyone else (not affiliated with UMass):
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/no2card
If you can do more than sign a petition, please contact these people:
UMass President Jack Wilson: 617 287-7000,
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UMass Chancellor John Lombardi (413) 545-2211,
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Chair Tocco of the Board of Trustees: 617 287-7005
The Message: Andrew Card is responsible for the lies and distortions that led to the Iraq war and occupation. He is therefore not eligible for an honorary degree which can be awarded only to "persons of great accomplishment and high ethical standards who exemplify the ideals of the University of Massachusetts".
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Campus groups that have passed resolutions in favor of revoking Andrew Card's degree:
Student, Staff and Faculty governments and Unions
The Graduate Student Government
The Student Government Association
The Graduate Employee Organization
The Delegate Council of the Professional Staff Union (PSU/MTA)
The Massachusetts Society of Professors
The Faculty Senate
Departamental Graduate Student Organizations
The Sociology Graduate Student Association (SGSA)
The Political Science Graduate Student Association (PSGSA)
The Labor Center Students Caucus
Antrhopology (Read letter sent to UMass president, Chancellor, & Board of Trustees)
Social Thought and Political Economy
Women's Studies
Graduate and Undergraduate Student Groups
The UMass Anti-War Coalition
The Campus Anti-War Outreach Caucus
The Palestine Action Coalition
The Radical Student Union
UMass Amherst Students for Peace
Latin American Graduate Student Organization
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See the ad that appeared in the Daily Collegian (with an (incomplete) list of the faculty and student groups that have signed the petition to revoke Andrew Card’s honorary degree, as of May 14, 2007)
Press Releases: May21 2007, May 22 2007
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