MEDIA RELEASE: Public Outraged at Court’s Ruling in Favour of the UofT Administration
03 Julio 2024 - 9:40AM
Student organizers, students, academic workers and community are
frustrated and outraged at the recent court ruling in favour of
University of Toronto’s injunction. University of Toronto filed the
injunction in order to approve the forcible removal of student
protesters currently as part of the encampment known as the
People’s Circle for Palestine. Rather than negotiate in good faith
with students, the administration took a heavy handed approach to
intimidate and promote violence against student organizers.
The Federation joined a coalition of interveners, and filed to
be intervenors in the case with the understanding that this action
from the administration is an attack on the right to protest on
campus.
This ruling sets a precedent for other encampments at several
universities, and further puts students in harm's way. The court
ruling in favour of the injunction authorizes the forcible removal
and arrest of peaceful protesters, with the administration claiming
that the encampment is causing irreparable harm to the institution.
The administration claiming irreparable damage is a falsehood and a
distraction to the interests of students and the larger issue at
hand. UofT’s reputation will continue to be known as an institution
that invests in genocide and violates students’ rights to organize.
Throughout the encampment, student organizers have been
experiencing harm, surveillance, and violence from the
administration and campus security. The administration has never
cared about the well-being of students and this injunction
exemplifies this.
“The court ruling also sets a dangerous precedent for the future
of student organizing; whether students are demanding disclosure
and divestment, or calling for free education, the administration
has now been given permission to continue to intimidate and
threaten students with surveillance and violence.”
- Adaeze Mbalaja, Chairperson, CFS-Ontario
The Federation will continue to support students in their fight
for justice, and will always defend students’ right to
organize.
The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario is the oldest and
largest student organization in Ontario, representing over 350,000
college and university students in every region of the
province.
For further information or to set up an interview,
Adaeze Mbalaja
Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario
4169253825
a.mbalaja@cfsontario.ca
Kayla Weiler
Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario
k.weiler@cfsontario.ca