Student Solidarity for in Class Censorship at TMU Image Arts

On Monday, September 23rd, 2024, three 3rd year students in the TMU Film program were censored from pitching their documentary in the classroom. The pitch was on the Peoples circle for Palestine, the student encampment that was organized by occupy UOFT in protest of the University of Toronto’s funding of the genocide against Palestinians. The encampment began in May, and was shut down due to an injunction notice in July. This project adhered to the guidlines that are outlined in the syllabus, however the students were still not permitted to present their pitch to the class. This does not align with the universities academic freedom policy, nor the recent statement made by the university on “academic freedom and critical pedagogy in the face of global, national and local conflict”.

https://www.torontomu.ca/content/dam/sociology/Documents/DCARWGSAFCP.pdf

It is vital as students to show solidarity in the face of unjust censorship. Sign this petition in support of the students involved in this grevience, as conversations with administration on how to ensure this does not happen again are ongoing. As artists we have a duty to resist censorship, and as students within this institution we have a right to academic freedom. 

MC, JW, DF, (TMU students)    Contact the author of the petition