This is a fictional letter written by Concordia student Dave Plant, imagining an apology Concordia University may publish in the future, “when the anti-genocide and divestment campaigns are eventually proven right,” as Plant describes it.
We are determined to look honestly at our past as an institution in order to build trust and move forward to a better future.
One critical thing this means for Concordia is that we must directly address the student protests that have taken place on campus regarding the treatment of anti-genocide and divestment supporters.
These protests were sparked by students expressing their rightful indignation at Concordia’s refusal to cooperate and listen to students’ concern with our embedded ties with the Israeli state. These concerns were largely ignored and dismissed by university administration. For years, these students sought various channels to be heard, but their voices went unrecognized, and they were told that their grievances were not valid.
The protests highlighted the need for dialogue and awareness around the topic of relations with states or companies which are complicit in manufacturing genocide. They also resonated with broader movements addressing social and political injustices globally. In response to the protests, university leaders called security forces, resulting in the arrests—sometimes violently—of many students. These actions had serious and lasting repercussions, including legal consequences, psychological distress, social alienation, and disruptions to academic pursuits and even deportations.
Sadly, the university’s response was a clear manifestation of institutional oppression and hierarchical control. The adverse effects of these actions echoed throughout the campus community and beyond, affecting many who felt marginalized for their political beliefs.
Concordia University, with the support of its Board of Governors, apologizes for the decisions and actions of university leaders during this time. We also apologize for the harm caused to anti-genocide and divestment activists and for the negative impact felt within communities that support their cause. We recognize the deep and often distressing consequences of the university’s actions, which have continued to resonate over the years.
Furthermore, we deeply regret our silence in the years following these protests. It should not have taken so long to acknowledge the grievances that arose from these events, when in hindsight, a simple divestment plan, including breaking ties with academic institutions in the settler-colonial colony of Israel would have sufficed.
Today, we must recognize how institutional oppression manifests itself, not only historically but also in the current reality of our education systems. This includes understanding the lasting effects that such oppression has on students and communities beyond the university. We are committed to confronting institutional oppression to ensure that events similar to those of the past do not recur.
For Concordia, addressing these events is a long overdue, necessary step. However, this acknowledgment is not an end in itself. This public apology reflects our need to interrogate past ideologies and actions while holding ourselves accountable to do better. It represents our commitment to fostering a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging, where experiences are validated, and where all individuals can reach their full potential without the fear of police intervention.
Looking forward, we will work towards implementing specific, meaningful actions that will guide us on this path. We aim to ensure that all voices, especially those advocating for their tuitions to not be complicit in genocide, are heard and supported within our community.
As we begin the challenging work of fulfilling these commitments, we invite everyone at Concordia to join us in building a more equitable and just campus community.
