As Twitchy reported, four San Francisco State University students calling themselves the Third World Liberation Front 2016 launched a hunger strike May 2 to protest what they claimed were budget cuts eliminating two positions in the Department of Africana Studies and to demand $8 million in funding for the school’s College of Ethnic Studies.
After the students announced their hunger strike via a press conference, provost Sue Rosser told reporters that the 2009 recession had affected funding for all departments, adding bluntly, “We don’t have $8 million.”
Ten days later, President Les Wong at last met with the hunger strikers’ “negotiating team” after issuing a statement Tuesday night urging them to end their strike and trust his commitment to “come to a resolution that ensures that the College of Ethnic Studies thrives in perpetuity.”
President Wong affirms his commitment to ethnic studies negotiations, requests end to hunger strike: https://t.co/5X2AmTcqPM
— SF State (@SFSU) May 10, 2016
SFSU President meets with hunger strikers https://t.co/bEPpsJPXZc
— KTVU (@KTVU) May 11, 2016
#hungry4knowledge Strikers just sat down with @SFSU President Les Wong. They're hoping to end strike today. @KTVU pic.twitter.com/pSqzmpwRYZ
— JBUSTOS (@KTVUCAMERAMAN) May 11, 2016
One striker was taken to the hospital Tuesday after complaining of chest pains.
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#SFSU student hunger striker, Julia, reportedly rushed to the hospital. This is unconscionable. Administration must meet demands #TWLF2016
— Andreana Clay (@andreanaclay) May 10, 2016
The tent city the strikers and their supporters have erected on campus (against university rules) still stands, though, and spirits were lifted yesterday with a visit by actor Danny Glover, who was passing through on his way to introduce Bernie Sanders at a rally in Sacramento.
Actor and political activist Danny Glover shows his support for the students on #hunger #strike at SF State. pic.twitter.com/Egbz3G3W9B
— Lyanne Melendez (@LyanneMelendez) May 9, 2016
Full support for the hunger strikers that @SFSU demanding better funding to advance the College of Ethnic Studies! https://t.co/D3Tj9uIltR
— Danny Glover (@mrdannyglover) May 10, 2016
Better funding? They’ve been pretty clear about their demand for $8 million. The College of Ethnic Studies currently has an annual budget of $3.5 million, according to the San Francisco Examiner.
The College of Ethnic Studies is the heart and soul of @SFSU #TWLF2016
— Danny Glover (@mrdannyglover) May 10, 2016
Danny Glover: "They're trying to gentrify this education. But [the college of ethnic studies] is what this city is." pic.twitter.com/ws3o8NHbgP
— Jamilah King (@jamilahking) May 9, 2016
There’s no word yet if the hunger strike is over, but supporters are running out of room on their banner. Poor planning?
Still waiting for announcement from #TWLF2016 hunger strikers and @SFSU admin re: negotiations @KPFANews pic.twitter.com/x8nBxPmAON
— Paulina Velasco (@_pinavelasco) May 11, 2016
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