By Annie Arnone
Several Ryerson students took part in a protest at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) on March 22, in response to Rebel Media’s Ezra Levant’s appearance on campus.
Levant’s talk was organized by Ryerson Campus Conservatives, in partnership with the Students Supporting Israel campus group—who came forward with a public statement on Facebook, the following day at 11:54 a.m., saying that they’ve disassociated themselves with the event. The talk was intended to address subjects surrounding Israel and the Middle East.
According to Tamar Jaclyn Lyons, VP communications, content coordinator and president elect of Students Supporting Israel, the group had no affiliation with the talk on campus. A statement was posted on the group’s Facebook page, explaining that the group was not affiliated with the talk that took place.
“Originally, we signed on to the event on the grounds that it was a talk about Israel. Due to various reasons, and specifically numerous security threats and personally threatening attacks to many of our executives and members, SSI decided to pull out of the event,” it reads.
SSI’s name is still listed in the event page, however.
The Continuing Students Association of Ryerson (CESAR) posted an open letter to Mohamed Lachemi to Facebook, addressing their concerns about Ryerson being used as a platform for Ezra to speak.
A protest is underway at the MAC against @TheRebelTV‘s Ezra Levant’s appearance at Ryerson this evening. @theeyeopener pic.twitter.com/q6eyCbJzLj
— Annie Arnone (@annie_arnone) March 22, 2017
“The Ryerson Campus Conservatives and Students Supporting Israel have chosen to bring Ezra Levant, a well-known bigot and owner of the alt-right news source ‘Rebel Media’. Rebel Media is a source of violent and destructive rhetoric that has been discredited by many, including its own hosts,” it reads. “We urge you to cancel this event, and to deny platform to Mr. Levant, and all other bigots who build their reputation on preaching Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, or any other form of racism.”
Eyeopener editors were not allowed access into the event, despite a personal invitation that was given to news editor Alanna Rizza.
Students are chanting “Hey hey-ho ho- your racist shit has got to go” @theeyeopener pic.twitter.com/FA06jJYggf
— Annie Arnone (@annie_arnone) March 22, 2017
Marshal John Darbyshire is refusing to let @theeyeopener in @AlannaRizza “Because I don’t like you.” She was personally invited to the event pic.twitter.com/oM7QmosDb8
— Annie Arnone (@annie_arnone) March 22, 2017
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Photos: Annie Arnone, Sarah Krichel
Fred
The man standing behind (and with) Darbyshire is leader of the far right wing group the JDL. The FBI lists the JDL as a terrorist organization. It appears the JDL was invirted to the talk but Ryerson students (like those from the Eyeopener) were not allowed in.