Some have defended campus occupations an exercise of the right to free speech – but that misunderstands what free speech is, and why it’s the cornerstone constitutional right
On Sunday night, I took a walk around the self-proclaimed “People’s Circle for Palestine.” King’s College Circle, at the centre of the University of Toronto’s downtown campus, was a hive of activity. The administration fenced off the area in a bid to prevent it becoming an encampment, but the fencing is now at the service of the protesters, allowing them to control the area inside, which is the size of a couple of football fields, and keep others out.
The group, which claims to be running the U of T encampment, says that “students will continue occupying the People’s Circle for Palestine until the #uoft Administration publicly commits to meeting all three of our demands immediately.” On the fence at the U of T encampment, as well as among the tents inside, are signs and banners expressing the participants’ views. There are no calls for Israel’s civilian hostages to be released. There are no calls for negotiation of a two-state solution. There is no criticism of Hamas. There is no recognition of Israel.
Do you think Israel is a criminal apartheid state? That the land “from the river to the sea,” which includes the entire territory of Israel, should be “liberated”? That Israel should not exist? I don’t agree, but again: That’s not legally relevant. In Canada, you have the right to express almost any and every idea.
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