On October 16, protesters vandalized Green College to condemn a workshop that included professors from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of Haifa.
People’s University UBC, the organizers of UBC's Palestinian solidarity encampment, posted photos of graffiti in an Instagram post. “Free Palestine,” “Land Back” and “Divest” were spray painted across the building.
The event, hosted from October 16-18, was a medieval workshop on ancient Christianity in late antiquity and the Middle Ages.
People’s University UBC, the organizers of UBC's Palestinian solidarity encampment, posted photos of graffiti at Green College, taking responsbility for the incident, in an Instagram post. “Free Palestine,” “Land Back” and “Divest” were spray painted across the building. People's University UBC did not respond to The Ubyssey's request for comment by press time.
In a statement to The Ubyssey, UBC Media Relations Director of University Affairs Matthew Ramsey confirmed there was the graffiti on the exterior of Green College walls and one broken window.
Protesters have previously called on UBC to end its partnerships with Israeli universities such as Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. A motion to cut or suspend ties with these universities was presented to the UBC Vancouver Senate in June, but failed.
- Protestors hold vigil, call on UBC to cut ties with Israeli universities during Senate meeting
- Senators quash motion to cut academic ties with Israeli universities in private session
Protesters have also criticized Dr. Gregg Gardner, a UBC classical, near eastern and religious studies professor who hosted the event. Protesters criticized Gardner and the department in an Instagram post for leading archeological excavations in Palestine, as part of a UBC Go Global program. Gardner did not respond to The Ubyssey's request for comment by press time.
This graffiti marks the second instance of vandalism by protesters. On September 3, a pig head and a sign reading “Pigs Off Campus” was placed on top a fence surrounding Norman MacKenzie House, the UBC president's residence. People's University UBC took responsibility for the incident in an Instagram post.
The Jewish Academic Alliance of BC (JAABC) released a statement calling on UBC to publicly condemn the recent vandalism, work with police to "enforce the law and campus rules" against people who vandalized Green College and work with JAABC, Hillel BC and the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver to develop policies to counter antisemitism on campus.
“The vandalism at Green College is unacceptable and contrary to UBC’s core values … hate and discrimination have no place at UBC and every reported incident will be taken very seriously,” wrote Ramsey in a statement.
Ramsey also said the incident is under RCMP investigation and any community members found to be involved will face disciplinary action.
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