 Media Credit: Julia Webster
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Two demonstrators received fines for mischief following a successful attempt by pro-choice protestors to prevent controversial pro-life activist Jose Ruba from presenting his "Echoes of the Holocaust" lecture.
The event, which took place last night in Leacock 232, had been the subject of controversy on campus for a couple weeks, with the Students' Society Legislative Council voting to censure it last Thursday.
Despite reports that the event had been cancelled, Choose Life President Natalie Fohl proceeded with holding Tuesday's lecture. As soon as Ruba began to speak, a group of pro-choice advocates broke into song, drowning Ruba out and disrupting the lecture. When Ruba played a video of graphic images in response, the protestors went up on stage to block the screens.
"In terms of showing these videos, I usually give warnings which obviously I wasn't able to do," said Ruba. "It's hard to be heard even when I'm making that statement when people are chanting and jumping up and down."
Although McGill security guards asked the protestors to return to their seats and remain quiet so Ruba could continue his presentation, they all refused. After about an hour of singing, the Montreal police arrived, and demanded that the demonstrators either leave the room or return to their seats and remain silent for the rest of the presentation.
"We're talking about an event that was supposed to go on. The event was on McGill property," said Sergeant Poccardi of the Montreal police. "The expulsion papers stated that they would have to leave, but McGill Security added that they could stay if they would behave, which [Security] didn't have to do."
Poccardi told the protestors that they had five minutes to either leave the room or return to their seats. After the time had elapsed, only two of the demonstrators remained standing at the front of the room, and were subsequently led out of the building and given summary convictions for mischief.
"Normally I would defend [Choose Life]'s right to exist on campus, personally, I'm not speaking for any group. However, as a human being, but also as a Jew, I would say that this kind of comparison is not acceptable," said Elise Eisenkraft Klein, one of the protestors escorted out by police. "By this ridiculous claim of trying to 'humanize' foetuses in order to further their cause, they are dehumanizing Jews."
Following this, the police left and Ruba once again attempted to begin his presentation. However, protestors continued to shout out from their seats. Although Choose Life had the room booked until 9:00, Fohl announced around 8:30 that the event would be ending. Soon after, additional backup police officers arrived, however everyone in attendance left the room peacefully.
"Each situation is different. In this case, we had to do what we had to do to make sure people's safety came first," said Poccardi. "For all we know, we could have had someone in the crowd throw something or physically attack us. It didn't happen, but in a situation like this you have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario."
Fohl said that despite the night's events, she would eventually like to reschedule.
"It's really unfortunate that we couldn't have respectful dialogue," said Fohl. "That's the moral of the story. Hopefully we'll be able to reschedule."
Ruba said he would gladly return anytime. Eisenkraft Klein, however, said she does not think the event is appropriate for any location on campus.
"I don't think that this type of talk should be allowed to happen at McGill," said Eisenkraft Klein. "This is student space. This is not public property."
To read an open letter from the SSMU Executive to McGill regarding Choose Life, click here
Additional reporting by Steven Hoffer
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 30
Donald Bullock Jr., BA '72
posted 10/07/09 @ 3:10 AM EST
I'm disappointed that the protesters felt their exercise of free speech was more important than the rights of the person whose message they stifled. What did the protesters fear, that some McGill students didn't have the brains to make a decision on an issue for themselves? This is not the McGill I knew. (Continued…)
Mike Lee
posted 10/07/09 @ 4:57 AM EST
I have to respectfully disagree with Mr. Bullock. Sure, free speech is a right that we should all respect, especially in universities - but the so-called "Choose Life" group is pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable. (Continued…)
Pamela Fillion
posted 10/07/09 @ 8:55 AM EST
I agree with Donald Bullock Jr. I had trouble sleeping last night I was so upset. When there was a right-wing attack on QPIRG the response was that there is equal oppurtunity for students to create groups that they believe in. (Continued…)
Stan Baginski
posted 10/07/09 @ 9:48 AM EST
How ironic that Ms. Klein justifies her thuggish behaviour because she resents the comparison of aborticide over the years to the Holocaust. Ms. Klein's closed-mindedness is reminiscent of an earlier era; dare I say the '30s in Nazi Germany. (Continued…)
Stan Baginski
posted 10/07/09 @ 10:03 AM EST
"I don't think that this type of talk should be allowed to happen at McGill," said Eisenkraft Klein. "This is student space. This is not public property. (Continued…)
Yvon Sanscartier
posted 10/07/09 @ 10:26 AM EST
Regardless of how the pro-life would have presented their side they would have been declared the villains either way. The left wing movement is backed by the government who tell you what to say, what to think and how to act in every single situation. (Continued…)
Amie
posted 10/07/09 @ 1:48 PM EST
I can't BELIEVE the gall of that guy mourning the loss of "respectful dialogue." Yeah... that's totally what he was bringing to campus. Respect. And dialogue. (Continued…)
Brian
posted 10/07/09 @ 2:19 PM EST
Mike Lee, your argument fails. It's silly to refer to abortion as "safe in the vast majority of cases" when its purpose is to end a human being's life. (Continued…)
Mark Sandford
posted 10/07/09 @ 2:21 PM EST
Why was the political left on campus involved in this in the first place? How much political weight does the anti-choice movement have at McGill? Probably a handful of people. (Continued…)
Brian
posted 10/07/09 @ 5:58 PM EST
"It's not even an issue."
Looks like it is.
"I just think this has been blown up a bit too much, when in reality, no one gives a shit about what Jose Ruba has to say. (Continued…)
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