The LIU Brooklyn Student Government Association condemns the approval from LIU Post SGA of the “America Club”. With a large population of students of color, the statements and actions of this organization are against LIU’s values of maintaining Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion. While this organization has been approved at the post campus and we are in brooklyn, we must stand against the approval of organizations that stand against the values that we hold. From handing out stickers with statements like “I stand for the National Anthem” and those of which that support gun ownership, we ask and demand this club's status as an organization to get revoked immediately. As the LIU Brooklyn SGA President Vladimir Tobar said when asked by concerned students about this club: “ I am deeply hurt that such an organization is allowed on campus. It goes against the diversity and inclusion efforts we have been working so long to bring. Being a person of color, I understand the meaning of spaces being created to reverse efforts to make students and young people feel left out. We must take action and make sure this doesn't continue”. In addition, LIU Brooklyn SGA Vice President Shivani Vaidya stated “ I’m extremely disappointed in the LIU administration for allowing an organization that encourages outright racist behavior to exist in our campus community. As an Indian woman and a leader on campus, this makes me very uncomfortable within my own University to have such affiliations. As students of LIU, we thrive on the diversity our campus has to offer, not encourage organizations that go against the very principle and culture of our students and administration. This organization is an abomination to the LIU community and needs to be abolished immediately.” Furthermore, after learning about this organization's approval, Black Student Union President Camille Watson said “An organization such as the “American Club” does not stand with the values and efforts that have been made at LIU to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. As we currently seek this politically charged environment with issues occurring across the borders as well in our own backyards, I see the importance of being able to express concerns and stand with one another. However, an organization such as this one is affiliated with organizations that have been founded in an non inclusive and divisive nature. An organization such as this one does not stand with the ideologies of #ONELIU and it should not be tolerated within our university environment“. SGA approval means SGA funding, we must not allow our money to go to organizations/clubs that stand against our very values and principles. 

We once again ask for this organization to be revoked immediately and for students to speak up and to continue to support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on campus and elsewhere. To take action now, visit https://tinyurl.com/abolishamericaclub and sign the petition to revoke this club's status as an organization on campus.