LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)– Michigan State College formally has a brand new president. The group gathered Sunday afternoon to rejoice the appointment of Kevin Guskiewicz, MSU’s twenty second president. Nonetheless, the ceremony was interrupted by protesters.
The formal investiture was for Guskiewicz to put out his plan for the way forward for the college, however proper exterior, the Hurriya coalition demanded a unique plan – divestment and institutional help for ending genocide.
“We are out here to protest, to let him know we are not happy with him, we are not happy with the board,” stated Jaime Saliba, a member of the Hurriya coalition. “We are not happy with what he is doing with the college.”
Dozens of scholars picketed exterior of the occasion – in entrance of the constructing, within the parking storage, and within the entryway.
They’re asking the college and the brand new president to cease investments into the state of Israel and so they say after months of asking, it is not taking place.
“They’re handing over power to a man who’s not moving on divestment,” stated Jesse Estrada White, a member of the Hurriya Coalition.
They not solely need him to divest however they need them to reveal.
“They say on their investment website that they’ll disclose every year,” stated White. “The last disclosement was June 20th, 2023… and I want to make it clear he’s not the sole decision maker here. In fact the decision has to come from the board of trustees, but he can do a lot in terms of supporting divestment and he chooses not to.”
Whereas President Guskiewicz addressed the viewers, protesters went contained in the ceremony, chanting “Kevin Kevin you can’t hide, you are funding genocide,” inflicting this system to be briefly paused.
“Kevin is picking a side and it’s clear what side he’s on,” stated White.
On the investiture, Guskiewicz laid out his plans and highlighted a number of initiatives, specializing in a student-centered campus, inclusivity, accessibility, and international influence.
