An Associated Students Board of Directors meeting was derailed this Monday when A.S. Presidential Candidate Kamiko Greenwood brought concerns of antisemitism against her opponent Olivia Taha, a move which may be in violation of the A.S. Election Code of Conduct.

A headshot of Olivia Taha, Candidate for Associated Students President, Provided by Olivia Taha.

The two presidential candidates for Santa Monica College (SMC) Associated Students (A.S.), current Director of Student Advocacy Kamiko Greenwood and Inter-Club Council Vice-Chair Olivia Taha, clashed at a A.S. Board of Directors meeting on Monday, April 4. During the meeting, Greenwood asserted that an unnamed student at SMC had emailed her about an alleged online profile about Taha on the website Canary Mission, under the name Olivia Hazin. The anonymous site claims to document “individuals and organizations that promote hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews on North American college campuses.”

This profile alleged that Taha made several antisemitic remarks on past social media posts via Facebook and Twitter. Board members questioned Taha on the veracity of the alleged posts. “If these are not your quotes, then you can definitely have a case against them,” A.S. Director of Instructional Support Denise White-Odimo said.

Board members also questioned the timing of the released information from Greenwood. “It seems to be quite convenient that it's been brought to the attention of the Board now, which I think is strange, it's too strange to be serendipitous or circumstantial,” A.S. Vice President Dominic Prendergast said.

A headshot of Kamiko Greenwood, Candidate for Associated Students President, Provided by Kamiko Greenwood.

Despite efforts by the Board to affirm that the meeting was not the appropriate channel to issue such allegations due to conflict of interest, the heated discussion continued for several minutes.

Greenwood claimed during the meeting that she brought forth this alleged information to honor the unnamed student’s wishes. “This has nothing to do with my candidacy, that's irrelevant in the sense of what has come forth,” she said.

“As of now, statistically, your next president will be elected by Friday, but it may not remain your next president, if there are any official complaints filed,” A.S. President Joshua Elizondo said to The Corsair. He explained that the Election Committee cannot take action against either candidate to determine if there was any violation unless a formal complaint is filed. As of April 5, no student has filed a formal complaint against Taha or Greenwood.

Section 5, articles A, B, and C of the A.S. Election Code of Conduct all forbid slander and libel in its various forms, with the potential for disqualification from the race. Whether or not Greenwood was in violation of the A.S. Code of Conduct is unclear.

In the event of a complaint, the Elections Committee would deliberate on the proper course of action, such as investigation into the legitimacy of the alleged posts and possible conflict of interest on the part of Greenwood.

Taha denied the allegations made against her. “These things that are being said about me are not true in any way, shape, or form,” she said.

Taha also expressed discomfort because the allegations of antisemitism against her at the meeting took her by suprise. “It was embarrassing. I was humiliated. I was crying,” she said. "I don't appreciate being accused of something, and the only evidence is a website dedicated to doxxing students," Taha said during the meeting.

Due to a pending legal matter, Taha could not confirm or deny if she was responsible for the antisemitic posts alleged by the Canary Mission profile.

Greenwood did not respond to The Corsair’s request for comment.

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