University’s level of hostility and repression against students unprecedented in the last decade

Community Release: Toronto; April 25 2008

WHAT: Allies for Just Education - Community Support Meeting
WHEN: Monday April 28, 6pm
WHERE: Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil St (http://tinyurl.com/4sn49c)

Dear Allies,

Over the past several weeks, a wide coalition of students, alumni and workers at University of Toronto have come together to protest and organize against proposed fee hikes and to demand accessible education. This coalition has organized public meetings, a sit-in and demonstrations which have received wide community support (see www.fightfees.ca).

Due to a peaceful sit-in, organized to protest against tuition fees on March 20, students are being subjected to an intense campaign of intimidation by the UofT administration and Toronto Police. Students have been followed by campus police, both on and off campus, as well as being monitored and photographed during meetings. UofT has pressed charges against 14 students and organizers, who have now had to turn themselves over to Toronto Police. They have been released on strict bail conditions, which ban them from associating with one another outside of courts and classes, as well as being barred from protesting anywhere on UofT property. In addition, several UofT students, staff and alumni have been completely banned from UofT property. One student organizer, Oriel Varga, is currently being held in custody overnight. Additionally, UofT is investigating 12 students under the Code of Student Conduct. This campaign of intimidation comes at a time when the administration is publicly lobbying for the deregulation of fees, and is thus undertaken to prevent students from continuing to organize around university fees.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SHOW SUPPORT:

We are calling on all community allies and support groups to show their solidarity with the 14 accused in any way they can. Community members are expressing their outrage at the growing cost of education, and at the use of intimidation and force against students who organize for accessible education at the University of Toronto.

It is critical for the university community and supporters across the country to publicly condemn and reverse attacks on students’ right to organize. We are calling on all community members, community groups, unions, and student organizations to:

a) Attend our Community Support Meeting on Monday, April 28th at the Steelworker’s Hall (25 Cecil St.) at 6pm.

b) Send a message of support to the Committee for Just Education at fightfees@gmail.com

c) Send letters of condemnation to the President of the University of Toronto, David Naylor, at david.naylor@utoronto.ca (please CC all emails to fightfees@gmail.com) or phone David Naylor at 416-978-2121 with an emphasis the following:

(i) Drop all charges against UofT students, staff and alumni.
(ii) Remove all bail restrictions and conditions for all 14 accused
(iii) End the policing of dissent and protest on campus. In the wake of the March 20 sit-in, 12 students are also being investigated under the Code of Student Conduct and student organizers have faced intimidation and surveillance from the campus police. More recently, the University has pressed charges against 14 students and organizers.

**For more information and to get involved with the Allies for Just Education, visit www.fightfees.ca or email us at: **