Conrad Black: University of Toronto Should Immediately Remove Encampment and Lay Charges Where Appropriate

Commentary Approximately 80 faculty members, staff, and students at the University of Toronto have issued an open letter to the president of the university, Meric Gertler, expressing their concern about the university’s response to anti-Israel and anti-Semitic agitation and specifically asking him how he intends to respond. The signatories of the letter, published in the Toronto Star on May 18, accepted the right of peaceful protest, but stated that the protesters’ encampment on the U of T campus is contrary to established university policy and to principles enumerated in respect of this controversy by the administration. They also said the encampment does not respect private property and presents a safety and security risk, while disrupting the academic environment and affecting the well-being of students, faculty, and staff....