YUGSA Open Letter to President Lenton to Stop Policing On-Campus NOW!
Dear President Lenton,
We write to express our profound dismay and frustration regarding the recent incidents caused by police presence on campus, and the subsequent and unwarranted arrest of a Graduate Student at the Sentinel Picket line organized by CUPE 3903. We wholeheartedly condemn these policing actions and any administrative decisions which may have compromised the rights of workers or impeded the pursuit of social justice within our institution. These events not only affect CUPE 3903 members, but also profoundly impact the broader university community, including a significant portion of YUGSA members.
While the union has been picketing at this location for 23 years, the police response on March 4th, 2024, has intimidated many graduate students. The arrest of a graduate student and CUPE 3903 member for merely attending a legal picket line, the charges of mischief laid against him, and the decision to ban him from campus are deeply concerning and outrageous. We see such actions as undermining the value of open dialogue and free expression, which are fundamental to the academic environment.
The constant presence of police on campus is inherently violent, serving as a stark reminder of the systemic racism and injustices faced by Black and Brown individuals. We see these recent actions of the police as immediate and enduring consequences of the heightened security measures taken by the administration over the past five months. The lack of attention to the concerns raised about police presence has resulted not only in the interruption of a lecture by a renowned scholar but also in neglecting the importance of creating a peaceful and inclusive environment for the broader community, especially BIPOC community members. Against this backdrop, the recent communication from York University’s Community Safety Department, which does not acknowledge these issues, appears to be unresponsive.
As concerned members, we demand the below immediate actions from the York Administration to uphold their professed commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, social justice, and human rights:
Contact the Toronto Police Service and Crown Authority without delay to request the dismissal of charges against the unlawfully arrested student.
Issue a public condemnation of the recent intimidation tactics employed by the Toronto Police Service against our students.
Urge York's bargaining team to return to negotiations and offer CUPE 3903 members fair wages, job stability, and a commitment to anti-racism protection.
We anticipate a prompt response outlining your actions in addressing these concerns.
Sincerely,
YUGSA Executive Team
Graduate Political Science Students' Association
Philosophy Graduate Student Association
Graduate History Students Association
Communication & Culture Graduate Student Association
PhD Environmental Studies Students' Association
Geography Graduate Student Association
York Sociology Graduate Association
Graduate Film Students Association
Social Anthropology Graduate Association
Visual Arts Graduate School Association
Social and Political Thought Association
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