Dear members of the McGill community,
The ongoing, devastating situation in the Middle East has continued to fuel intense emotions. In recent weeks, my colleagues and I have issued multiple messages calling for respectful and civil discourse, as well as compassion, to bring our community together in the face of so much suffering and distress. While many of us are working hard toward this end, this is not universally the case.听
Yesterday I was made aware of posters circulating on social media calling upon McGill students to participate in a 鈥淣ational Day of Shutdown,鈥� in support of a 鈥渞ally for Gaza.鈥� The poster features an image of a group of individuals kicking and breaking glass windows.听
Publicizing an event through allusions to destruction of property is troubling. Far worse is using an image of people breaking glass to encourage participation in an event planned for November 9th, the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a series of violent attacks in Nazi Germany that saw mobs smash the windows of synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses.听
Considering all facts and relevant contexts, I can only conclude that these posters are antisemitic. They are deplorable and unacceptable, and they have no place within our campus community.听
I have said that, within a university setting, we must give a wide berth of protection to freedom of expression, assembly, and opinion. But these freedoms are not unbridled. Their exercise can cross a line into terrain where they are no longer protected by our policies and that is clearly the case here.听
Given the tone of the promotional material associated with the event planned for this afternoon, I am deeply concerned about the safety of our community. Consistent with McGill鈥檚 obligations under section 16 of the Charter of Students鈥� Rights, I have requested the presence of additional security during the event.听
Should the event proceed, it must remain peaceful. I remind all students of their obligations under section 6 of the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures, and all colleagues of their own obligations in accordance with applicable university regulations and collective agreements.听
Some students, faculty, and staff may not feel secure on our campus today, which is understandable. I ask instructors and supervisors to exercise grace, compassion, and understanding in responding to requests for accommodation.听
Let me close by affirming that we can and must do better. Inciting activism through communications that refer to an extremely dark day in world history, marked by antisemitic violence, is abhorrent. This will exacerbate existing tensions and will alienate and risk harm to Jewish members of the community, as well as those who are visibly Muslim and Arab. Each of these groups is especially vulnerable right now.听
I call once more on every one of us to work together to foster an environment of compassion, inclusivity and respect.
厂颈苍肠别谤别濒测,听
听
Deep Saini
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
McGill University