Exchange of e-mails between SAIA and Equity Services
This is the exchange of e-mails between SAIA and Carleton University's Equity Services. As is clear, SAIA's attempts to request a meaningful explanation of the decision to ban the Israeli Apartheid Week poster were unsuccessful.
From: SAIA Carleton [mailto:
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] Hi Smita and Linda, From: Linda_Capperauld <
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> Dear Jessica Equity Services' review of all posters, pamphlets and display materials assesses, among other criteria, whether certain words or images could be seen to incite others to infringe rights protected in the Ontario Human Rights code. Further, materials must not be insensitive to the norms of civil discourse in a free and democratic society. In reviewing the SAIA poster of an Israeli bomber shooting at a child with a teddy bear, Equity Services staff made the judgment that this poster offends both of these standards. Regards, Linda Capperauld From: SAIA Carleton [mailto:
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] Dear Linda, From: SAIA Carleton <saia
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Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:10 PM
To:
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;
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Subject: SAIA Case
Is there a written report on the Students Against Israeli Apartheid Case to which I may gain access?
In order to follow up with an appeal, we would like an official report or statement on the decision that Equity Services took on this case. I don't want to misquote you or misinterpret what you told me today.
Thank you,
Jessica Carpinone, SAIA Carleton
Date: Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Subject: RE: SAIA Case
To: SAIA Carleton <
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Cc: Smita_Bharadia <
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Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 2:49 PM
To: Linda_Capperauld
Subject: Re: SAIA Case
I feel that perhaps you misunderstood what I was requesting. Your e-mail (a few sentences long) surely was not the written report on the case. I would imagine that in an official decision in which a group has supposedly expressed "certain words or images [which] could be seen to incite others to infringe rights protected in the Ontario Human Rights code" you would have to cite which parts of the code that group has incited others to violate and how it has been violated. Which section of the Ontario Human Rights Code have we incited others to violate? Have we violated the human rights code in any way? How can anyone possibly be responsible for others in matters of human rights? SAIA surely is not responsible for what others do. If we have not broken the human rights code, why are we being reprimanded?
Also, to suggest that our poster is somehow "insensitive to the norms of civil discourse in a free and democratic society", without giving any context to that claim, is unjust. Who defines these "norms"? Where are they defined? What are the standards of "civil discourse"? Who defines them and under what parameters? What are the precedents to this case, if any?
In such a serious matter, SAIA should be able to see exactly how Equity Services has come do this decision. Please provide us with detailed information.
Thank You,
Jessica, SAIA Carleton
To: SAIA Carleton <
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Dear Jessica
In your original email you requested our official report or statement on our decision. I provided you with our official statement.
Should you wish to appeal or make a complaint about this decision, please document that in writing to the University Secretary.
Regards, Linda
Date: Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Subject: Re: SAIA Case
To: Linda_Capperauld <
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Linda,
As I've outlined, we are requesting a detailed explanation of the decision. Will you provide us with a report on the case which outlines how you reached your decision?
If you will not give us a detailed report, please explain why. Is it standard procedure to issue a decision without disclosing any information about how you came to this decision?
Thank you,
Jessica
On Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 3:10 PM, Linda_Capperauld <
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