A message from the UofT administration
Dear UofT community,
Over the past month, we’ve been concerned about the discourse that the encampment at King’s College Circle on our St. George Campus has sparked in our community. Personally, I would love for us to get together, hold hands, and sing Kumbaya, but it seems like some of you are more concerned about “human rights violations” than getting along.
The University of Toronto prides itself on supporting our students’ right to free speech. We would like to reaffirm our commitment to supporting students who choose to assemble and protest as well as their right to free expression. How about you guys protest elsewhere, though, where no one can see or hear you, and we can just carry on business as usual?
Of course, we will continue to engage in dialogue with the representatives of the encampment. We believe in healthy discussion and the right of students to express their opinions and beliefs. We are dedicated to listening to what they have to say, hearing them out, and then calling the police to shut them down.
Additionally, we would love to use the front lawn for events and traditions that the community holds dear, like taking graduation pictures, rolling around on the grass, or eating a hearty breakfast. Mmm, doesn’t a breakfast spread with eggs, bacon, toast, jam, waffles, pancakes, and hash browns on the front lawn sound so good right now?
To recap, our goal is not to silence those participating in the encampment. That would go against our values and principles. We will, however, make it clear that you should only speak out against us when and where we allow you to. Maybe instead of participating in the encampment, you could write your grievances in a tweet and @ us, or better yet, just not say anything at all?