York University sanctions its Tamil Students Association

Well York University known for its leniency towards student groups and free speech finally made a gesture; albeit a feeble one, but a gesture none the less towards indicating its dissent over the protest taken by the Tamil Students Association.

The Association was fined $500 and had to suspend their activities (meaning they were denied accessed to University resources) for 15 days.

A pretty pathetic slap on the wrist in my opinion. I really think more attention should be paid to these pro-LTTE student groups. I agree with York University's policy of free speech and I certainly agree that student groups should be allowed to promote awareness about issue important to them and society, why should that extent to turning a blind eye towards association with illegal groups and terrorist organizations?

The the LTTE is a recognized terrorist organization. Affiliation, promotion and fundraising activities for them are outlawed in Canada. So why is the University of York allowing a student groups to represent itself via the use of the LTTE flag?

I don't understanding and to me its inconceivable that a student group should be allowed to do so. The LTTE just like Al Qaeda is a recognised terrorist organization that is outlawed and banned in Canada. The LTTE just like Al Qaeda has terrorized Sri Lankan citizens in Sri Lanka and all over the world. They (the LTTE terrorist group) have violated human rights within territory controlled by them and have victimized civilians including members of the ethic population they claim to represent for over two decades. I really don't see much difference between Al Qaeda and the LTTE.

I'd like to know whether the Chancellor of York University, Roy McMurtry, would allow a student group to affiliate themselves with Al Qaeda, promote their ideology on campus and display paraphernalia known to be associated with Al Qaeda on campus. Obviously not. So why the double standard when it comes to the LTTE terrorist group?

Online petition over the protest staged by the YUTSA

An online petition has been created to be sent to York University over the recent protest that was held on university premises by the York University's Tamil Student Association. The petition is as follows:

To: YORK UNIVERSITY

On February 17th 2009, there was a very serious incident that occurred on York University campus. The York University Tamil Students Association (YUTSA) held a rally for a separate state in Sri Lanka in support of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), arguably the most lethal and well organized terrorist group in the world. It was insulting enough that YUTSA waved the LTTE flags but they took it much further by lighting the Sri Lankan Flag on fire. This insult to all Sri Lankans was perpetrated in front of Vari Hall for thousands to witness. Furthermore, when a Sri Lankan student tried to stop them by putting out the fire, these members of YUTSA began a physical altercation with the student. The Sri Lankan community in Canada and abroad are outraged by these acts of hate directed towards all Sri Lankans.

People are questioning how this could happen on the campus of an educational institution. We put the blame solely in the hands of York University and the clubs that organized it; how can a university allow a rally in support of terrorism, and have the burning of a flag go unpunished? We also put the blame on YFS (York Federation of Students) and USAY (United South Asians at York) as they both helped to organize and supported the rally. The university should be ashamed of what it has let happen on its property. We would like to thank the York security and the York regional police who stepped in to put an end to the rally before it began to escalate even further. We are fed up with how the university has dealt with YUTSA’s support of the LTTE over and over through out the past couple of years. It seems to be the situation we Sri Lankans have to face every year at York. We have seen terrorist flags raised on campus property for the past few years and it seems that York administration is turning a blind eye to the situation. A Sri Lankan flag is burned, York University shrugs its shoulders. Will it take the assault of a Sri Lankan student to finally get the attention of York University? We demand that YUTSA discontinues the use of the LTTE terrorist flag, we demand that York University takes action against YUTSA for burning the Sri Lankan national flag. The Sri Lankan community of Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims, Burghers and Malays also asks for an apology from YUTSA and York University! PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION IN SUPPORT!

Click here to sign