[van-announce] Fw: [mobglob-discuss] (YORK Univ.) Act Now against the Expulsion of DanFreeman-Maloy

[Paul Browning]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tony Tracy" <tony at riseup.net>
To: <mobglob-discuss at lists.resist.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 1:18 AM
Subject: [mobglob-discuss] (YORK Univ.) Act Now against the Expulsion of
DanFreeman-Maloy


> Urgent: Please act against the expulsion of Dan Freeman-Maloy from York
University!
>
> To All Concerned Community Members:
>
> Last week, a 3rd-year undergraduate student of political science, Dan
Freeman-Maloy, received a letter informing him of a 3-year suspension from
York University, simply for using a megaphone on campus. The letter referred
only to his "use of an unauthorized sound amplification device" at an
"unauthorized demonstration". He was given no information on how to appeal
the suspension and was threatened with charges of trespass should he enter
the campus grounds after 1 May. The suspension comes into effect on the same
day that Dan is to begin work at the University's principal newspaper,
Excalibur.
>
> Dan is a Jewish student who has been vocal in defence of Palestinian human
rights, as well as in workers' rights and other social justice campaigns.
His suspension comes following a theatrical display on campus on March 16,
2004, in which students were commemorating the anniversary of the death of
US peace activist, Rachel Corrie, who died last year in the Gaza Strip.  At
the display, Palestine solidarity activists were spat upon, kicked and
threatened by an aggressive counter-demonstration.  The university
administration did nothing to protect the students. Instead, in an attempt
to silence critical dissent on campus, they chose to suspend Dan.
>
> Dan is due to complete his degree after one year. He has an excellent
academic record and has been an active and respected participant in the life
of the York University community.  Despite the fact that the university's
own legal guidelines (Presidential Regulation #2) states that students be
entitled to an administrative procedure allowing for student appeals
(Section E, #3), Dan has been suspended by administrative fiat - in an
impersonal letter without any possibility of appeal.  Furthermore, York's
regulations specify that only serious infractions (such as a violation of
the Ontario Human Rights Code or illegal behaviour) warrant expulsion.  This
demonstrates total disregard for his academic future and his right to an
education, as well as to York's own procedural regulations.
>
> This expulsion is not only callous toward Dan's future, but is politically
motivated.  Megaphones have been used without authorization at countless
other "unauthorized demonstrations" in Vari Hall without a single student
being penalized, let alone suspended for 3 years, which is a de facto
expulsion.  Moreover, other students used a megaphone at this very
demonstration without any consequences.  Dan is being singled out and
scapegoated because he is an articulate and effective Jewish advocate of
Palestinian human rights.  Or, as a member of York's Board of Directors
explained to a concerned graduate student outside a recent press conference,
because he is a "rabble-rouser."
>
> President Marsden is not impartial in this matter, and her record is
clear.  She has consistently supported right-wing speakers on campus -
"Campus Watch" host Daniel Pipes last year, Israeli Minister Natan Sharansky
(a proponent of mass expulsion of Palestinians to neighbouring countries)
this year. Last year, her administration also brought mounted police on to
campus for the first time ever, and coordinated to have three organizers of
an anti-war student strike arrested.  York's campus has become more and more
repressive recently, as exorbitant and arbitrary "security fees" have been
forced upon student groups hosting dissident speakers, as club activities
have been prohibited in various public spaces on campus, and as certain
student organizations have faced outright bans.  This crackdown on critical
dialogue - the cornerstone of higher learning - marks a significant step
backward for all members of the York community.
>
> We urge everyone who is concerned about maintaining York University's
campus as a progressive space, and all those intent on protecting student
rights to free expression and assembly, to contact President Marsden.
>
> We are demanding the immediate reversal of the decision to expel Dan
Freeman-Maloy from campus for his political activities.  York University
prides itself on a reputation as a progressive space where critical
development and engagement is encouraged, not stifled.  If this reputation
is to be maintained, the current administration must act accordingly.
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> York Free Speech Committee
>
>
> How to get involved:
>
> Below we have attached a letter to President Marsden demanding that she
immediately reverse the suspension of Dan Freeman-Maloy, so that he can
complete his studies and report for work on campus without fear of being
charged with trespassing.  Please sign the letter below and send it to
President Marsden at presidnt at yorku.ca (no "e") and cc
freespeechyorku at yahoo.ca.  Or, better yet, write a letter outlining these
demands yourself, and get whatever organizations you are a part of to draft
letters of their own.
>
> Letters can also be postmarked to:
> Office of the President
> 4700 Keele St.
> Toronto, ON
> Canada  M3J 1P3
>
> For more information on our ongoing campaign, contact
freespeechyorku at yahoo.ca
>
> Thank you, and we appreciate all of your help!
>
>
> President Marsden,
>
> I recently learned of the 3-year suspension of Dan Freeman-Maloy for his
use of a megaphone at an "unauthorized" demonstration.  I find your decision
appalling for a number of reasons.  First, your decision is a violation of
Mr. Freeman-Maloy's right to freedom of expression as it is a response to
his participation in political activity, not his use of a sound
amplification device (many students have used a megaphone without
authorization in Vari Hall - why is Dan being singled out?).  Second, in
contradiction with your own regulations on student conduct, your decision
provided no opportunity for Dan to defend himself, nor an opportunity for an
appeal.  Third, this decision reflects a troubling pattern of silencing
progressive political activity on campus (including banning tabling and
leafleting for political purposes, and imposing exorbitant "security fees"
on student groups).  Finally, given York's official commitment to the
pursuit of social justice (as declared in the un
>  iversity's mission statement), it would seem that you should support and
actively create space for social justice activism on campus, instead of
shutting it down.
>
> I demand that you immediately reverse your decision to summarily expel Dan
Freeman-Maloy.  You are the head of a prestigious academic institution with
a reputation for academic freedom and political diversity.  I am requesting
that York uphold its own standards.
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
>
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