On April 3, 2014 CUNY students, faculty and staff, together with concerned individual and organizations (such as War Criminals Watch), came together to hold a public hearing to investigate charges that former General David Petraeus was responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity as Iraq/Afghanistan war commander and former CIA chief. The hearing discussed definitions of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and considered evidence regarding Petraeus’ actions.

Why was this hearing held? Because beginning last fall, CUNY’s Board of Trustees hired ex-general Petraeus to teach a course titled “Are We On The Threshold of a North American Decade?” at the Macaulay Honors College. Is his appointment part of an increasing militarization of CUNY, and if so, what does this mean for those who study and work at the City University? The public considered the facts of the case.

Presider Attorney:

Bina Ahmad, attorney

Presenters:

Jeena Shah, Center for Constitutional Rights

Claude Copeland, Iraq Veterans Against the War

Debra Sweet, director of World Can't Wait

Sándor John, professor of Latin American history at Hunter College