We are writing in response to concerns raised about our lack of a statement regarding McGill University’s treatment of the pro-Palestinian student encampment. Members of our community have expressed disappointment over our silence on the student protests occurring at multiple institutions.
Both the executive and the program committee have been working tirelessly to ensure our conference venue respects the work stoppage by our unionized colleagues. While this has occupied much of our time, it is not an excuse for our lack of response to the student protests.
As the executive members of CSDH-SCHN, we have sought to build consensus on this complex issue. Although we discussed issuing a statement of support for the students’ pro-Palestinian encampment, time constraints and the need for extensive dialogue delayed our response.
We recognize that inaction and silence are positions. We support the student encampments protesting the war in Gaza. We believe students have the right to demonstrate for their causes without fear of retaliation. McGill University’s choice to engage the police rather than dialogue with protesting students is counter to the university’s democratic and intellectual life. We condemn their reluctance to work with protestors. We strongly condemn the McGill administration’s call for police action against the students, faculty, and members of the larger community. We strongly condemn the use of force and persistent acts of police brutality against the peaceful protestors at McGill and other student protests across North America.
As an association, we stand in support of international organizations, including the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, and the International Court of Justice. As such, we support the calls for a permanent ceasefire and the release of hostages. We invite the academic community to think critically about this year’s Congress theme, “Sustaining Shared Futures,” especially as we find ourselves in a historical moment where the mere idea of a future is being put into question. Our praxis ought to reflect our dedication to being in solidarity, especially with the thousands of people in Palestine being affected by the ongoing atrocities in Gaza inflicted by the Israeli government.
