In the early hours of the morning on Monday, July 29, university security moved to destroy the camp that has peacefully used the space outside the Henry Hicks building at Dalhousie University for nearly three months. After months of communications re-iterating the rights of students under the code of conduct to engage in peaceful demonstration and the university’s obligation to protect academic freedom, exchange of ideas, and free expression, Dalhousie University administrators abruptly changed tack, issuing a trespass notice on the evening of July 26 threatening students , faculty, staff, and community members with removal, seizure of property, and punitive consequences should the order be disobeyed.
It is notable that the administration has not sought a legal opinion nor tested their allegations of trespass in court, preferring to act in an authoritarian manner and threaten both students and community members. See Legal Opinion prepared by Asaf Rashid Law
The camp existed as a space of engaged academic exchange and learning. Community frequently gathered in the space for teach-ins, art workshops, and to use the community library. It is clear the Al Zeitoun University encampment serves an academic purpose; and indeed, represents the best traditions and values of the university. It is also clear that the removal of the camp has nothing to do with any disruptions to the campus, as the university has consistently confirmed the camp is peaceful. We are left to deduce that this action is simply an attempt to hide and erase the camp in advance of the incoming fall semester.
We remind the university that simply removing signs of opposition to university policy and crushing debate on urgent global issues runs counter to the values of academic freedom and the exchange of challenging ideas. The university must not buckle to external pressure to suppress debate, but rather has the highest responsibility to vigorously protect intellectual inquiry.
We also condemn the removal and destruction of artwork at the camp which also includes a library of donated books and other archival materials. We remind the university that the removal of works from campus space in order to suppress the ideas they convey sets a dangerous precedent of censorship which cannot be tolerated.
The university may believe it can separate its ethical responsibilities from education, but as faculty who, unlike administration, are actually engaged in the work of daily teaching in the classroom, we know that university investments in violent, destructive and morally repugnant industries and assets do in fact matter. Administration may be most concerned with PR and lawn care; we as faculty believe the university’s mission is to do precisely what is accomplished at Al Zeitoun University encampment- to educate, to learn, to be curious about the world, and to speak out courageously. That the university has moved to dismantle a vibrant, diverse, multi-faith and community-facing space through unilateral force rather than negotiated settlement is a stain on an institution that continues to tout its credentials in decolonization, anti-racism, and diversity while actively suppressing dissent.
We urge the university to heed the students’ call for disclosure and divestments, motions also democratically supported by the Dalhousie Faculty Association. We applaud all students for living up to the highest values of education, and we thank all community members who have supported in solidarity.
Signed:
Dr. Larry Haiven, Saint Mary’s University, Professor emeritus, member Jewish Faculty Network, Independent Jewish Voices Canada
Dr. El Jones, Mount Saint Vincent University
Dr. Jon Langdon, Saint Francis Xavier University
Dr. Ajay Parasram, Dalhousie University
Dr. Neil Balan, Saint Mary’s University
Dr. Ardath Whynacht, Mount Allison University
Dr. Magi Abdul-Masih, Retired Professor, Saint Mary’s University
Sara Abdo, Dalhousie University
Dr. Shira Lurie, Saint Mary’s University
Dr. Isaac Saney, Dalhousie University
Dr. OmiSoore H. Dryden, Dalhousie University
Dr. Nouman Ali, Dalhousie University
Dr. Val Marie Johnson, Saint Mary’s University
Dr. Mohammed El Hazzouri, Dalhousie University
Dr. Rachel Zellers, Saint Mary’s University
Dr Judy Haiven, retired prof Saint Mary’s University, Independent Jewish Voices Canada
Alan Surovell, Dalhousie University
Dr. Jason Haslam, Dalhousie University
Dr. Julia M. Wright, Dalhousie University
Dr. Bob Zecker, Saint Francis Xavier University
Dr. Stephen Marmura, Saint Francis Xavier University
Dr. Ornella Nzindukiyimana, Saint Francis Xavier University
Dr. Todd MacCallum, Dalhousie University
Dr. Kate Swanson, Dalhousie University
Dr. Tara Taylor, Saint Francis Xavier University
Dr. Willow Samara Allen, St. Francis Xavier University
Dr. Nissim Mannathukkaren, Dalhousie University
Dr. Cathy Conrad, Saint Mary’s University
Kathrin Winkler, Nova Scotia Voice of Women for Peace
Dr. Sutapa Chattopadhyay, Saint Francis Xavier University
Dr. Sean Kennedy, Saint Mary’s University
Ajay Parasram 