Students for Socialism, (SFS) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) have met since fall 2024, engaging in open discussions and action plans about New Mexico State University.
Alberto Del Campo, a student organization leader for SFS, explained why it was important to meet early in the semester.
“Our first meeting was kind of setting the tone, grounding everyone that attended into why it is that we are gathering,” Del Campo said. “Highlighting the urgency in engaging in active organizing on behalf of the people of Palestine.”
Del Campo said SFS and SJP work towards similar goals and have identified the U.S.’s capitalistic influence in the ongoing genocide and war in Gaza.
“So, both of these orgs together have a similar target in which is to dismantle these systems of oppression that have been allowed to be set in place under capitalism, fascism and imperialism. So, both of these orgs have really aligned values and missions,” Del Campo said.
Christan Killgore, an NMSU student, said these meetings hope to educate attendees about intentional food, and medical blockades happening in Gaza.
“We talked about how we couldn’t technically do any sanctions against Israel, but simply just divest from them and any kind of condemnation, cast out flyers of which brands and companies to boycott for their continued complicity in the genocide,” Killgore said.
Jona Holguin, co-head of SFS, explained what SFS sees as the root of funding being distributed to Israel.
“Capitalism is the main driver of the genocide of the Palestinian people. Major corporations are at the forefront of pushing the Zionist cause,” Holguin said. “So, advocating for socialism is also, in turn, advocating for Palestinian Liberation.”
“The people in positions of power are too worried about sending our tax dollars to kill children in Palestine,” Holguin said. “The economic hardships that we’re dealing with right now would be directly addressed through socialism, and through socialism, we can also achieve the dismantling of the genocidal apartheid state going on in Palestine currently.”
Killgore said many organizations and businesses are complacent with Israel, including McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, KFC, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Pepsi Co., Soda Steam and Nestlé. These companies were listed on a boycott list that Killgore referenced.
Holguin said the supporters of major pollical parties in America want to withdraw financial support from Israel.
“The numbers for support for Palestine amongst the youth is significantly higher than amongst the broader population. So if the broader population is in support of our cause, that number has to be way higher for the student population,” Holguin said.
Del Campo discussed the five demands that SFS and SJP has to serve as guide for organization members as well as an action plan to hold NMSU accountable to divestment. First, Del Campo said SFS calls for resistance against “fascist attacks” on Arab and Muslim immigrant students, youth and workers. Secondly, SFS demands divestment from companies complicit with Israel. Third, SFS urges NMSU to remove military recruiters, defense contractors and military technology corporations. Fourth, SFS rejects right wing policies they say threaten to defund higher education, undermining academic freedom and access to learning. Finally, SFS calls to “democratize the university,” so that decisions reflect the collective vision of students, faculty, and staff rather than corporate interest.
Alamnade Aguero, a student advocacy board member and SFS attendee urged students, faculty and staff to put pressure on NMSU and get involved in student government on campus.
Aguero stated, “You literally pay to have them [ASNMSU, student government] to have them represent you and what your needs are, and as students, you have the right to disclose that. And I think it’s time we start demanding that of the leadership that we do have in those position[s].”
“I can’t stress express enough how important it is for you guys take these opportunities to advocate for what you want to see on campus and start demanding leadership listen to us,” Aguero said.
Students who want to get involved and stay up to date with SFS and SJP can join the group discussion forums on Signal. Members of NMSU can reach out on Students for Socialism, or Students for Justice in Palestine’s Instagram by direct messaging.
