Dear President Frémont,We are writing as concerned students from the University of Ottawa, Carleton University and Algonquin College, as well as parents, alumni, faculty and community members. Over the past several weeks, Hillel Ottawa, uOttawa students, uOttawa faculty and Ottawa community members have witnessed and been victims of the hostile and unsafe incidents stemming from the ongoing encampment occupying the University of Ottawa. For over a month, this encampment has fostered a hostile environment where your Jewish students, faculty, and staff have been targeted with hatred, harassment, and violent messaging. Hate has no place at the University of Ottawa, and yet it is screaming at us from the lawn next to Tabaret Hall. Jews are the No. 1 target of hate crimes in Ottawa with violent incidents targeting Jewish institutions across Canada – including a terror bomb plot in Ottawa and recent gunfire at Jewish schools in Montreal and Toronto. Our fears are real and justified, and the incitement of hate and violence by the encampment heightens the threat.In order to combat this issue effectively, we present two actionable demands:
We implore you to take immediate and decisive action to address the escalating threats faced by the Jewish community on our campuses before someone gets hurt. The safety and well-being of all students, faculty, and staff must be paramount, and it is incumbent upon university leadership to uphold this fundamental principle.Sincerely,