University of Toronto G20 sign now

President David Naylor
Office of the President, 27 King's College Circle, Room 206
Toronto ON M5S 1A1

Prof. Cheryl Misak, Vice President and Provost,
Simcoe Hall, Room 225, 27 King's College Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 1A1

It is with deep concern that we, the undersigned faculty, staff, and students at the University of Toronto write after witnessing the G20-related events unfold in Toronto this past weekend. We are shocked by the deplorable actions by the Toronto Police and Integrated Security Unit (ISU) in concert with the massive spending on security. As concerned members of the University of Toronto community, we ask that you join us in condemning these actions and pushing for a full independent inquiry.

We express our grave concern about the indiscriminate use of aggression by the ISU against peaceful protesters, many of whom were our fellow students, faculty, and staff. We denounce the misinformation surrounding the Public Works Protection Act and the disregard for civil liberties exhibited by searching and arresting protesters and bystanders without warrant or warning.

To ensure the University of Toronto is not implicated in this assault on democracy we strongly urge the University to:

1. Condemn the police raid on the Graduate Students Union (GSU) building and the arrest of two executive members and billeted demonstrators. It is lawful to provide accommodations to those who exercise their democratic right to participate in a legal protest.

2. Fully disclose and explain in what ways the University of Toronto administration was complicit with the ISU actions of harassing and arresting students and lawful citizens on campus. Throughout the week, eyewitness reports reveal that large groups of ISU personnel used University property to stage forces and target protesters and bystanders.
We ask that the University of Toronto administration stand alongside its faculty, students, and staff in demanding an independent public inquiry into these violations of constitutionally protected human rights, including the freedoms of expression and assembly. Administration and leaders of the University must act now in order to maintain and uphold the Universitys credibility as an institution that provides vigilant protection for individual human rights, and a resolute commitment to the principles of equal opportunity, equity and justice, as is stated in the Purpose of the University. This is a matter of urgent importance and we ask you to act accordingly.