http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2009/07/c4684.html

TORONTO, July 7 /CNW/ – Toronto-Students at York University condemn recent hateful anti-Semitic attacks that occurred in the Scott Library and Student Centre. On July 2, anti-Semitic material was found in a bathroom of Scott Library and today, an anti-Semitic attack occurred on the office of the Jewish student association-Hillel in York’s Student Centre. “University campuses are places of learning and must be free from all forms of hate, including anti-Semitism,” said Krisna Saravanamuttu, President of the York Federation of Students. “Violent acts of hatred such as these are an affront student rights on campus and must be condemned.” The York Federation of Students has been working closely with students on campus to undertake a campaign which seeks to fight anti-Semitism, as well as racism and Islamophobia. The campaign is a local response to hatred at York, but has been implemented on college and university campuses across Ontario through the Canadian Federation of Students. “Forms of hatred such as anti-Semitism and racism deeply affect students as they struggle to complete diplomas and degrees,” said Shelley Melanson, Chair of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. “These recent hate crimes serve as a reminder to all of the work students must continue to undertake to ensure that all forms of oppression and hatred have no place on campus.” The York Federation of Students represents all 49,000 undergraduate students at York University. The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario unites more than 300,000 college and university students at 38 students’ unions across the province, including all York undergraduate and graduate students.

For further information: Krisna Saravanamuttu, President, York Federation of Students, (647) 448-0576 (cell); Shelley Melanson, Chairperson: (416) 925-3825 or (416) 882-9927 (cell)