Students condemn racist flyers distributed at York University

TORONTO, Aug. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Students are calling on York University to take immediate action after racist flyers were posted around campus and inserted into home mailboxes in an adjacent neighbourhood where many students live. The flyers, authored by Immigration Watch Canada, take aim at the participation of racialized students in post-secondary education and make derogatory remarks about immigrant communities.

"We are disturbed and appalled by these blatantly racist flyers and the actions of Immigration Watch Canada," said Mithilen Mathipalan, Vice-President Equity of the York Federation of Students. "The diversity of the York community is a source of strength and we will not tolerate any kind of hate speech that fosters an unsafe environment for students." 

This is not the first time Immigration Watch Canada has distributed offensive and racist materials to the public. Most recently, the group delivered xenophobic and anti-immigrant materials to homes in nearby Brampton, a community many York students call home.

"No one should be subjected to such hateful and offensive messaging on their campus or in their community," said Mathipalan. "Students deserve to live, work and study without fear of discrimination or harassment. There is absolutely no place for this at York University."

The York Federation of Students is committed to fighting oppression in all its forms and will continue to unite students and community members to challenge all forms of hate and discrimination.

The York Federation of Students represents over 53 000 undergraduate students at York University.

SOURCE: York Federation of Students

Mithilen Mathipalan, YFS Vice-President Equity, 416-666-8491 or 416-736-5324 ext 20253; Hamid Osman, Executive Director, York Federation of Students, 416-736-5324 ext 77674