Students at Amherst College who brand themselves the “Amherst Uprising” are calling for the college president to denounce “all lives matter” and “free speech” posters on the campus.
In a list of demands posted on the Tumblr blog for the art publication Amherst Soul, Amherst Uprising called for Amherst College President Carolyn Martin to “issue a statement to the Amherst College community at large that states we do not tolerate the actions of student(s) who posted the ‘All Lives Matter’ and ‘Free Speech’ posters.”
The Amherst Uprising also warned that the students who put up the posters may be forced to go through the “disciplinary process” and be “required to attend extensive training for racial and cultural competency.”
“Also let the student body know that it was racially insensitive to the students of color on our college campus and beyond who are victim to racial harassment and death threats; alert them that Student Affairs may require them to go through the Disciplinary Process if a formal complaint is filed, and that they will be required to attend extensive training for racial and cultural competency.”
In addition to calling for students to be punished for being in favor of free speech, Amherst Uprising stated the alumni reaction to the list of demands should be policed.
“The Office of Alumni and Parent Programs must send former students an email of current events on campus including a statement that Amherst College does not condone any racist or culturally insensitive reactions to this information. “
Ironically, while claiming “free speech” posters are offensive and deserve punishment, Amherst Uprising also cautioned against threatening “the jobs of the faculty, staff, or administrators” for vocalizing their support for the list of demands.
Amherst Uprising's demands also call on Martin to make multiple apologies.
Martin must apologize for the school’s “institutional legacy of white supremacy, colonialism, anti-black racism, anti-Latinx racism, anti-Native American racism, anti-Native/ indigenous racism, anti-Asian racism, anti-Middle Eastern racism, heterosexism, cis-sexism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, ableism, mental health stigma, and classism” and the school’s failure to provide a “safe space.”
Students from approximately fifty school organizations indicated their support for the Amherst Uprising movement.