Keshava Demerath-Shanti, an LSA junior, is vying for the vice presidency of the Central Student Government (CSG) 2025 as part of the Human Rights Party. Following the withdrawal of his running mate, Demerath-Shanti is prepared to step up as president if elected, appointing a vice president with assembly approval. Although he lacks direct CSG experience, his passion for representing student rights and addressing wider issues is evident.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Demerath-Shanti shared his motivations for running, emphasising the necessity of responding to national issues while staying connected to the campus community. He stated, “We must protect undocumented people, protect free speech… Every single student knows… things outside of this campus affect us.” His platform aims to enhance a sense of global citizenship, insisting that human rights should be fought for universally, from Gaza to Ann Arbor.
Demerath-Shanti highlighted his previous experience with student representation at Lansing Community College, where he successfully advocated for transparency in textbook costs and supported initiatives for student housing. His achievements reflect a commitment to empowering fellow students and demonstrating proactive leadership.
A notable project he brought forth for his campaign is the distribution of “Know Your Rights” cards, aimed at educating students about their rights. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reallocate CSG funds towards impactful activism like opposing harmful legislation and advocating for immigrant rights, illustrating his focus on practical solutions.
When discussing free speech, Demerath-Shanti asserted that while the party opposes fascism, they also support everyone’s right to express their views. He stressed the importance of engaging with all viewpoints, stating that defending speech is essential: “We will respond to speech with speech and defend people’s right to say what they want.”
Should he be elected, Demerath-Shanti aims to mobilise CSG in resistance against adverse political climates, particularly against the Trump administration’s policies. He desires CSG to adopt a dual role of advocacy and protest, facilitating direct action in addition to lobbying efforts to influence broader policy changes at various levels of government.
Keshava Demerath-Shanti, an LSA junior, is running for vice president of CSG 2025 under the Human Rights Party. He aims to address both campus and global human rights issues, prioritising free speech and student advocacy. Demerath-Shanti has previous experience in student governance at Lansing Community College and plans to mobilise CSG to protest against adverse governmental policies. His platform stresses inclusivity and response to diverse viewpoints in student governance.
In conclusion, Keshava Demerath-Shanti’s candidacy for the CSG 2025 vice presidency is driven by a vision of integrating campus activism with global human rights issues. His background in student governance and proactive campaigns showcases his commitment to supporting student voices and foster inclusivity. With a clear focus on advocacy and engagement, he aims to unite diverse student perspectives and promote collective action against pressing societal challenges.
Original Source: www.michigandaily.com
