McGill University's attempt to restrict protest activity on campus by seeking an interlocutory injunction was rejected by a Québec Superior Court judge on Tuesday, September 30th. The injunction had been opposed by five of McGill's labour unions (AGSEM, AMPFA, AMUSE, AMURE, and MUNACA) as well as Jewish student organizations Independent Jewish Voices and Chavurah.
"The injunction McGill sought would have not only restricted the ability to organize against the genocide in Gaza, but it would also have limited the rights to protest and expression of all students and workers on campus," said Dallas Jokic, co-president of AGSEM.
LACK OF EVIDENCE
The court found that McGill failed to demonstrate that "serious and irreparable harm" would be prevented by the granting of the injunction. It also expressed concern that the injunction could restrain the ability of labour unions and other members of the McGill community to protest. In the ruling, Judge Ferland wrote "an interlocutory injunction is an exceptional form of relief that may severely restrain individual liberty and lead to draconian consequences. He continued, "the granting of the requested injunction is not warranted by the evidence."
AFFRONT TO FREE SPEECH
"The McGill administration's efforts to curtail campus protest were an affront to the basic freedoms of speech and assembly that are at the heart of what makes universities and civil society possible," said Barry Eidlin, Associate Professor of Sociology and Second Vice- President of AMPFA. "I'm glad the court saw this injunction request for the dangerous proposal it was."
"The ability of labour unions to protest and make themselves heard is essential to our rights as workers. It is a relief that the court has refused McGill's outrageous attempt to indiscriminately restrict free expression" said Ezelbahar Metin, a Teaching Assistant and Sociology Department Delegate for AGSEM.
This rejection follows the Court's refusal to renew a provisional injunction and impose a safeguard order in April, and a rejection of their appeal of that decision. Labour unions also opposed these injunctions sought by McGill.
"This is a win for students and workers on McGill's campus. We do not take our rights to expression for granted and will continue to fight for them in the courts and on campus" said Taylor Wilson, an undergraduate student worker and AMUSE Bargaining Committee Co-chair.
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