The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) condemns the human rights abuses that occurred in Toronto during the G20 Summit. Hundreds of innocent people, including one of our own executives, were brutally treated and detained in inhumane conditions while having done absolutely nothing wrong or illegal.
Indeed, day after day, through social media and otherwise, testimonies and evidence of human rights abuses are being brought forward by law-abiding citizens of Canada who were completely stripped of their most fundamental rights, including the basic right to have access to a lawyer.
“The SSMU is committed to defend the constitutional rights of its members. While we are considering the option of spearheading a class-action lawsuit, the SSMU believes that psychological support to student victims of police abuse who are understandably traumatized by the experience must be our current priority,” said Zach Newburgh, SSMU President.
The SSMU knows that the lawlessness and inhumanity displayed by law enforcement officials during the G8 and G20 summits is in no way representative of Canadians at large. Only a very methodic and determined legal inquiry into what has taken place can be deemed acceptable by a country which prides itself on its human rights record.
The SSMU will keep the public informed of its actions on this matter.
Were you there? Post-G20 Support
Many students have been unlawfully arrested and detained during the G20 Summit in Toronto. The SSMU wants to offer support, whether psychological or legal, to its members that were victims of the G20 mass arrests. You are not alone! We are here to help you. If you were at the G20 in Toronto and were arrested, brutalized or have witnessed such acts, please get in touch with the SSMU VP (External Affairs), Myriam Zaidi at external@ssmu.mcgill.ca or call 514-992-5310.
Moreover, the SSMU is setting up an ad hoc committee for Post G20 relief. This committee will explore different avenues in order to offer support to the victims. Please contact the SSMU VP (External Affairs) if you want to get involved in this committee and help out your fellows!
