Press Release: Celebrities oppose McGill’s anti-Palestinian and antidemocratic threats


Celebrities oppose McGill’s anti-Palestinian and antidemocratic threats

Today a public letter signed by Rock legend Roger Waters, author Yann Martel, former MP Libby Davies, author Chris Hedges and 200 academics, artists and authors as well as 40 organizations was sent to McGill University principal Suzanne Fortier. The letter criticizes the administration for threatening to suspend its fee agreement with the Students Society of McGill University (SSMU) in response to students overwhelmingly voted in favor of the Palestine Solidarity Policy.

“McGill’s threat against the student union was anti-Palestinian and anti-democratic”, noted McGill alumnus and Canadian Foreign Policy Institute director Bianca Mugyenyi. “It’s just the latest in a string of examples of McGill bowing to pressure from external anti-Palestinian groups.”

A month ago, 71% of McGill students voted for a resolution that commits SSMU to divest from and boycott “corporations and institutions complicit in settler-colonial apartheid against Palestinians.”

“Students should be commended, not condemned, for voting in support of the long-oppressed Palestinians”, noted Karen Rodman of Just Peace Advocates. “McGill administration’s efforts to undercut Palestinian solidarity and student democracy are shameful.”

To read the full public letter and list of initiating signatories:

For more information:

Bianca Mugyenyi, Director Canadian Foreign Policy Institute

Phone: 514-436-7629    

Email: info@foreignpolicy.ca

Karen Rodman, Director, Just Peace Advocates

Email: karen.rodman@justpeaceadvocates.ca