Open letter to Fanshawe College staff and students
Dear Fanshawe Administration, Staff, and Students.
Established in 1967, the Canadian Arab Federation (CAF) is a national, non-partisan, non profit and membership-based organization which represents Canadian Arabs on issues relating to public policy. Through education, public awareness, media relations and non-partisan government relations, CAF raises awareness of domestic issues that affect our community. The federation spearheads campaigns to fight the negative stereotyping of Arabs and works to end systemic discrimination and racism.
We have grown aware of the incident at the Fanshawe career fair hosted last month and we highly advocate for a fair and impartial trial at a judicial level. We have analyzed both explanations of the story and we are appalled at the way the situation was handled by the security official and administration.
According to the reports written in the college's official paper, it can be verified that the incident is racially motivated. Mrs. Marcoccia defended the actions of the security guard, claiming that the physical intervention was necessary. She also claimed that such security methods are necessary in a post 9-11 world. It has definitely increased everyone's fear of potential terror and violence; but certainly, a small, student led demonstration in a controlled environment is no need for forceful removal from a career fair.
For a student to be charged with trespassing on the property in which his tuition fees entitle him to; than there is definitely a need to investigate the actions taken by the school's administration. If a policy restricts the free movement and voice of student on the grounds of the institution he pays for, than there is an urgent need for the re-analysis on how the school treats their students. This is a violation of student rights, if this is not revoked immediately, it will come to destroy the image of the school indefinitely.
Every institution has an obligation to ensure the free voice of every student, it is a constitutional right. Regardless of the administrations post 9/11 fear, restricting a peaceful and controlled protest is anti-democratic. If an institution cannot uphold the democratic rights of their student's physical space and free voice, than where can students learn to express the democratic fundamentals guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
An institution has every right to propagate any industry they feel is essential to society. They are responsible for ensuring the success of their students. Joining the military can be argued to be fundamental to the growth and success of Canada. However, the students have every right to protest the involvement of their peers in this war, regardless of the personal beliefs of the administration.
The rights of the student, Darius Mirshahi were violated. Every effort needs to be made to restore these rights and also, ensure that's such violations do not occur again.
We kindly request a reply and an update as to how the administration is handling this situation.
Sincerely,
Canadian Arab Federation
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Established in 1967, the Canadian Arab Federation (CAF) is a national, non-partisan, non profit and membership-based organization which represents Canadian Arabs on issues relating to public policy. Through education, public awareness, media relations and non-partisan government relations, CAF raises awareness of domestic issues that affect our community. The federation spearheads campaigns to fight the negative stereotyping of Arabs and works to end systemic discrimination and racism.
We have grown aware of the incident at the Fanshawe career fair hosted last month and we highly advocate for a fair and impartial trial at a judicial level. We have analyzed both explanations of the story and we are appalled at the way the situation was handled by the security official and administration.
According to the reports written in the college's official paper, it can be verified that the incident is racially motivated. Mrs. Marcoccia defended the actions of the security guard, claiming that the physical intervention was necessary. She also claimed that such security methods are necessary in a post 9-11 world. It has definitely increased everyone's fear of potential terror and violence; but certainly, a small, student led demonstration in a controlled environment is no need for forceful removal from a career fair.
For a student to be charged with trespassing on the property in which his tuition fees entitle him to; than there is definitely a need to investigate the actions taken by the school's administration. If a policy restricts the free movement and voice of student on the grounds of the institution he pays for, than there is an urgent need for the re-analysis on how the school treats their students. This is a violation of student rights, if this is not revoked immediately, it will come to destroy the image of the school indefinitely.
Every institution has an obligation to ensure the free voice of every student, it is a constitutional right. Regardless of the administrations post 9/11 fear, restricting a peaceful and controlled protest is anti-democratic. If an institution cannot uphold the democratic rights of their student's physical space and free voice, than where can students learn to express the democratic fundamentals guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
An institution has every right to propagate any industry they feel is essential to society. They are responsible for ensuring the success of their students. Joining the military can be argued to be fundamental to the growth and success of Canada. However, the students have every right to protest the involvement of their peers in this war, regardless of the personal beliefs of the administration.
The rights of the student, Darius Mirshahi were violated. Every effort needs to be made to restore these rights and also, ensure that's such violations do not occur again.
We kindly request a reply and an update as to how the administration is handling this situation.
Sincerely,
Canadian Arab Federation
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
