The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
June 15, 2016
Dear Governor Cuomo,
Veterans For Peace calls on you to rescind Executive Order 157 that would create a list of groups, institutions and businesses that support the use of boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) as a tool in the struggle against Israeli oppression of the Palestinian people. This Order will force all executive branch agencies and departments to cut contracts with any companies and organizations on this list.
As veterans of the U.S. military, we were told that we served to protect the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Your Executive Order, coming on the heels of unsuccessful attempts in the New York Legislature to pass anti-boycott legislation, not only attempts to circumvent the authority of the state legislative branch, it also tramples on the constitutional right of free speech. Your order is undemocratic and an abuse of power.
We are sure you are familiar with this quote from John F. Kennedy, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”
The BDS movement provides a form of nonviolent political expression and action that allows people of conscience to support the ongoing Palestinian struggle for justice. Because of the obvious unjust treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli government and the nonviolent work of committed activists, this movement has gained traction, including among young people across university campuses and large organizations such as the U.S. Presbyterian Church and United Methodist Church. Your executive order attempts to intimidate and repress these students’ and religious groups’ nonviolent attempts to create change and work for justice. This type of repression ensures more violence as some people lose confidence that nonviolent paths to change are effective.
Through this order, you have claimed to take a moral stand, stating, “this state will do everything in its power to end this hateful, intolerant campaign.”
Michael T. McPhearson
VFP Executive Director
Barry Ladendorf
VFP Board President