Tigers for Israel, a student political organization, is lobbying for state representatives and senators to take an active stance against Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Members created a petition signed by student organization leaders that they will present to state officials expressing concerns about Iranian nuclear ambitions and the need for intervention by the U.S. government and its allies.
The petition states that the signees “believe that it is vital for the security of the United States and her allies for the international community to act against the Iranian regime’s desires to acquire weapons of mass destruction.”
James Bullman, Tigers for Israel president, said members have already spoken directly to Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.).
Bullman said he hopes his organization’s efforts will encourage congressional support against Iranian nuclear proliferation.
He said it will be dangerous for “the entire world in general” if Iran is not halted from building a nuclear arsenal.
Ali Khamenei, the leader of Iran, has made statements against Israel and the United States, and he openly supports extremist Islamic terrorist groups such as Hezbollah.
Bullman said he thinks that if Iran is allowed to build nuclear weapons, it will instigate an arms race in the Middle East.
Bullman said in the next week, the organization will present the petition to the legislature, which has already expressed positive feedback about their efforts, in its district houses.
The petition, which is still being passed around for signatures, has signatures from the presidents of 17 student organizations.
“Every major organization on campus has signed onto it,” Bullman said.
Bullman said he thinks having only student leader signatures will create a more effective presentation.
“It’s not just a petition with a bunch of our buddies on it; we got the people that everybody knows,” Bullman said.
He also said talking to student leaders will help spread awareness because leaders can talk to the students in their organizations about the issue.
“We felt like if we just got 500 people to sign it, or X amount of people to to sign, it would end there,” Bullman said. “But if we are talking to the student leaders, it will have a trickle-down effect to let students know how severe the problem really is.”
Josh Melder, Student Government assistant director of student services, said he thought the petition was an effective and necessary way to bring attention to this issue.
“I’ve always thought that nuclear proliferation among other countries was a bad idea – especially in countries that openly support terrorism,” Melder said.
He said the United States has taken the right steps against nuclear proliferation but is acting too slowly.
He said this petition will show representatives that college students are concerned and involved in international issues.
 
Contact Rebekah Allen at [email protected]