About an hour ago, five students at Ohio State began a sit-in to demand ethical standards for the purchase of wood and paper. The members Free The Planet, a student group on campus, vow to stay until President Gordon Gee signs an agreement to stop the University from buying wood products obtained from Indigenous conflict areas and to include more recycled content in paper and lumber used on campus.
We’re in contact with the five inside (and don’t they look chipper?). We’re also in touch with a group of more than two dozen of their supporters rallying outside the President’s office. Police are reportedly on the scene, but have not indicated any intent to arrest at this point. Check back to this post for updates as we receive them.
Support the students by signing on to their petition. Free The Planet is also asking supporters to call the President’s office to encourage him to sign the agreement:
- President Gordon E. Gee, The Ohio State University – (614) 292-2424.
Twitter Updates
Update from OSU campus:
Five OSU students are still sitting in President Gee’s office. Gee is there, but is refusing to meet with the five students from Free The Planet. The rally has ended outside, but supporters are waiting outside the building – ready to support the five students should they be forced out of the building by police.
Free The Planet is scheduled to meet with University administration on Thursday to finalize OSU’s forest resources policy, the students inside Gee’s office are demanding that Gee sign a memorandum of understanding that will ensure that OSU commit to a strong policy on Thursday which would include OSU refusing to purchase copy paper that is sourced from Grassy Narrows – at OSU that means OfficeMax brand paper.
Check back for pictures and updates.
-Annie
Call out the National Guard! These guys look dangerous. If they want a bloodbath, let it start here!
Juan: Your comment is totally absurd! You are an idiot! The United States has a long heritage of protesting. What do you think the Boston Tea Party was?
OSU’s stance on this issue is ludicrous. Their refusal to even discuss these grave accusations is totally indefensible. OSU IS A PUBLIC ORGANIZATION!! THEY HAVE TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THE PUBLIC!
I’m pretty sure that Juan wasn’t serious.