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Does the same analysis hold for the recent vandalism at the main branch of the New York Public Library (now named after donor Steven Schwartzmann)?
James Dougal Fleming Professor, Department of English Simon Fraser University Burnaby/Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The truth is an offence, but not a sin. -- Bob Marley From: Behraad Bahreyni
Sent: November 29, 2023 6:20:53 PM To: power@sfu.ca; James Fleming; Leanna Jantzi; Rachel Altman; Baharak Yousefi; Gerardo Otero Cc: academic-discussion@sfu.ca Subject: RE: York professor among those charged in Indigo store vandalism (The Globe and Mail (BC Edition)), Nov 25, 2023 In your example, the event would likely be hate-motivated, possibly targeting Islam. However, in the actual story, the CEO (not a religious leader) of Indigo (not a sinagog) was targeted, likely
because of their support for Israel (not being jews).
From: power@sfu.ca <power@sfu.ca>
If in the night a Toronto mosque were spattered with 'blood' and had posters attacking its imam plastered over it should we not agree that this is a regrettable act of hateful lslamophobic vandalism whatever the
beliefs of the imam? And that charges are merited? If suspects are identified and arrested and we sympathize with their politics should we gloss it over in order to support them with critiques of the police and the charges and the imam and his politics/religion? From: James Fleming <james_fleming@sfu.ca> 1. "Targetting Israel is not anti-Semitic." From: Leanna Jantzi <leanna_jantzi@sfu.ca> It's interesting to note that the JFN's launch event (link shared below) was a "press conference in support of the recent motion of the
Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) challenging the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism (IHRA)." For further context (and to offer an example of a national organization that does not support the IHRA definition) here’s information
from
CAUT's 2021 Council, where "Council delegates unanimously passed a resolution to oppose the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism (IHRA) at Canadian universities and colleges, citing threats to academic
freedom on Canadian campuses" and an
editorial posted on CAUT's website. I think the JFN’s letter provides a very helpful and thoughtful voice to the reasons why the protest at the Indigo store is not a hate-motivated
crime; rather it is a protest against the actions of the State of Israel and the CEO of Indigo’s sponsorship of the
Lone Soldier Program. Being charged with vandalism may be a risk that protestors accept. Charging protestors with a “hate motivated” crime and breaking into their homes to make arrests – that I find
unconscionable. Leanna From: Rachel Altman <rachel_altman@sfu.ca>
I, for one, am really tired of the (ab)use of the views of a small proportion of Jews to justify antisemitism and the demonization of Israel. IHRA is very widely accepted in Jewish circles, which is why so many
countries, organizations, regions (including the city of
Vancouver) and have adopted it. To deny this fact is to deny Jews' understanding of and experience with antisemitism. And holding up this letter -- or statements from fringe groups such as
Independent Jewish Voices -- as evidence that this crime (yes, vandalism is a crime, not a peaceful protest!) was justified is, frankly, unconscionable. Rachel From: Baharak Yousefi <byousefi@sfu.ca> Dear Gerardo, I thought you may be interested in the attached letter sent by the
Jewish Faculty Network to Mayor Olivia Chow and others. Apologies for the JPEG format. I am sharing it from
this Twitter/X post. While this particular letter is signed collectively, over 170 Jewish scholars from across the country signed the Network's 2021 statement against the IHRA definition of antisemitism. You can see their names here: https://jewishfaculty.ca/jewish-faculty-against-the-ihra-defn/ And a link to
JFN's launch event for anyone interested in learning more. All best, Baharak From: Gerardo Otero <otero@sfu.ca> Among other things, this article tells the story of tremendous abuse of police power in Toronto against a professor engaged in protest. York professor among those charged in Indigo store vandalism SEAN FINE JUSTICE WRITER The Globe and Mail (BC Edition) Nov 25, 2023 Lucky you. This email was sent to you by a user of PressReader, who thought you’d be interested in reading this story. It means you get to click the link and read it. ®2003- PressReader, all rights reserved. |
Gerardo Otero
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