Solidarity Statement

The City Institute at York University strongly condemns the recent Islamophobic events of this past week, namely the US travel ban on those living in certain mainly Muslim-majority countries and the fatal shooting at the Quebec Islamic Cultural Center in Quebec City. We pass on our deepest sympathies to all those targeted by these related events, and our solidarity to everyone fighting against such outrageous and avoidable bigotry and violence. And we stand with those in communities who are living with uncertainty and fear about the continuing impact of both Canadian and US American policy on their lives. As an academic unit that has as its mandate the facilitation and conduct of critical, diverse, interdisciplinary and collaborative urban research that advances social justice, we denounce any and all violence and will vigorously resist actions which serve to foment discord and intolerance at every level of society. The human imperative of connection demands nothing less. The Institute values diversity across race, class, gender and sexuality, and strives for inclusion and respect, which demands that we continue to ensure that the knowledge we produce is based on openness, transparency, and collaboration. We will continue to work towards a more just world and to seek ways to work across our differences, to embrace our differences, and to lift each other up in the process.

The Executive Committee of the City Institute