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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
SIMON BRONNER, MICHAEL ROCKLAND, CHARLES D. KUPFER, and MICHAEL L. BARTON, Plaintiffs, v. LISA DUGGAN, CURTIS MAREZ, AVERY GORDON, NEFERTI TADIAR, SUNAINA MAIRA, CHANDAN REDDY, J. KEHAULANI KAUANUI, JASBIR PUAR, STEVEN SALAITA, JOHN STEPHENS, and THE AMERICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION, Defendants. Case No. 16-cv-00740-RC JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
PLAINTIFFS’ [PROPOSED] SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT
 
 i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1
 
JURISDICTION AND VENUE ..................................................................................................... 6
 
THE PARTIES................................................................................................................................ 6
 
STATEMENT OF FACTS ............................................................................................................. 9
 
I.
 
BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................ 9
 
A.
 
The American Studies Association ..................................................................................... 9
 
B.
 
USACBI and PACBI’s Academic Boycott of Israel ........................................................ 12
 
C.
 
USACBI Targets the American Studies Association ........................................................ 15
 
II. DEFENDANTS INFILTRATE AND EXPLOIT THE AMERICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION. ........................................................................................................................... 17
 
A.
 
Defendants Covertly Pack the American Studies Association National Council with USACBI Leaders and Supporters. ............................................................................................ 17
 
B.
 
Defendants Exploit American Studies Association Resources to Advance the USACBI Platform. ................................................................................................................................... 27
 
1. The Academic and Community Activism Caucus and the 2012 Annual Meeting ....... 27 2. The 2013 Annual Meeting, “Roundtable,” and “Open Meeting” ................................. 31 C.
 
Silencing Dissent and Withholding Information Pertinent to the Vote from Membership ..................................................................................................................... 37
 
1. Removal of Plaintiff Bronner from the 2013 National Council Meeting ..................... 38 2. Defendants hide dissenting viewpoints that would inform the membership’s decision on the vote. ............................................................................................................................ 40 3. Defendants form a subcommittee of USACBI Leaders and firmly pro-resolution advocates to draft the disclosure materials for the National Council, and withhold their knowledge of the expected backlash. .................................................................................... 42 D.
 
Defendants Freeze the Membership Rolls to Prevent Those Opposed to the Resolution from Voting, Banning Plaintiff Barton From Voting. .............................................................. 45
 
 
 ii E.
 
The Announced Results of the Vote Violate American Studies Association Bylaws and the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporations Act. ............................................................. 50
 
F.
 
The Passage and Adoption of the Resolution Constitutes a Substantial Part of the American Studies Association’s Activities, Violating the Association’s Bylaws. ................... 52
 
1. Efforts to Influence Israeli Legislation Constitute a Substantial Part of American Studies Association Activities .............................................................................................. 53 2. Efforts to Influence United States Legislation Constitute a Substantial Part of American Studies Association’s Resolution-Related Activities ........................................... 55 G.
 
Defendants Invade the American Studies Association Trust Fund to Cover the Expenses Arising from the Boycott Resolution ........................................................................................ 57
 
H.
 
Financial Injury to American Studies Association and Plaintiffs’ Interests Resulting from Defendants’ Actions ................................................................................................................. 61
 
1. Decrease in revenue ...................................................................................................... 61 2. Resolution-related expenses .......................................................................................... 63 COUNT ONE Breach Of Fiduciary Duties Against The Individual Defendants By All Plaintiffs (Material Misrepresentations and Omissions in Connection with Elections to Office and Seeking Member Approval of Boycott Resolution and Amendment of the Bylaws) ................................ 69
 
COUNT TWO Breach Of Fiduciary Duties Against The Individual Defendants By All Plaintiffs (Duty of Loyalty and Good Faith, Misappropriation and Misuse of Assets of American Studies Association) .................................................................................................................................. 70
 
COUNT THREE Ultra Vires and Breach of Contract Action Against All Defendants By All Plaintiffs (Failure To Nominate Officers and National Council Reflecting Diversity of Membership) ................................................................................................................................. 71
 
COUNT FOUR Ultra Vires Action and Breach of Contract Against All Defendants By All Plaintiffs (Freezing Membership Rolls to Prohibit Voting) ......................................................... 74
 
COUNT FIVE Ultra Vires Action and Breach of Contract Against All Defendants By All Plaintiffs (Substantial Part of Activities Attempting to Influence Legislation) ............................ 76
 
COUNT SIX (IN THE ALTERNATIVE) Breach Of Contract Against Defendant American Studies Association By All Plaintiffs (Voting Process Contrary To Bylaws) .............................. 78
 
COUNT SEVEN (IN THE ALTERNATIVE) Breach of D.C. Nonprofit Corporation Act Against Defendant American Studies Association By All Plaintiffs ............................................ 79
 
COUNT EIGHT Breach Of Contract Against Defendant American Studies Association By Plaintiff Barton (Denial of Right To Vote) ................................................................................... 80
 
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