Vol. 73/No. 27      July 20, 2009

On the first day of petitioning, July 7, Baumann was stopped by a campus cop and told he and his supporters would need a permit to petition.

That same day, a group of students whoare parents were also petitioning against attempts to close the campus day-care center. Several of them signed the socialists’ petitions and offered space on their table. The cops backed down. The next day, campus cops again told Baumann he needed permission to petition.

“We sat down to map out a plan to reach out to students and professors for support.” Baumann said. The candidate and his supporters talked to students and professors, including in the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Women Studies program, and Undergraduate Student Government about the undemocratic denial of his right to fully campaign.

In the afternoon, Dean of Students Michael Escott refused to meet Baumann and a representative of the student government, saying he was too busy. However, later that evening Escott called and sent an e-mail informing Baumann that he and his supporters could petition outside the campus cafeteria, which is also a central meeting area for students.

“The response of students to my campaign has been really good,” Baumann said, “It’s been one of our hottest spots.” In two days, 516 students and professors signed petitions to put the socialists on the ballot.
 
 
Related articles:
New York socialist campaign launches drive to get on ballot
Socialist Workers ballot drive kickoff  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home