News Leaflets
A leading news portal.

Hundreds of protesters drown out speaker Frances Widdowson at University of Lethbridge

0 44

An hour before a controversial former Mount Royal University professor Frances Widdowson was planning to speak at the University of Lethbridge, students could be seen filling the U Hall atrium.

But it was clear many weren’t interested in hearing her speak. They were preparing to send a message.

Widdowson has sparked some controversy in recent years, making headlines with her comments about residential schools.

Story continues below advertisement

It was confirmed last year she was fired from MRU in Calgary for allegations of workplace harassment and intimidation. Her case is in arbitration and MRU told Global News that the case remains confidential.

She was fired amid controversy over comments she made lauding the educational benefits of Canada’s residential school system while questioning whether abuses at the schools against Indigenous children equated to “cultural genocide,” as described in the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Widdowson was invited then disinvited to speak on campus this week about her concerns that a mob mentality and “woke policies” increasingly threaten academic freedom.

Read more:

University of Lethbridge cancels controversial Frances Widdowson lecture

Read next:

‘It is hell on earth’: Federal Conservative leader on how B.C. is managing its drug crisis

About 2,500 students signed a petition pushing back on the university for hosting the speech.

Earlier this week, the university rescinded space for Widdowson to speak after immense backlash, but she announced on Facebook she planned to attend regardless, stating she would have to be hauled away by security to be stopped.

Her presentation: “How ‘Woke-Ism’ Threatens Academic Freedom.”

Kairvee Bhatt, president of the U of L Students’ Union, said students decided to rent the space on Wednesday for their own “celebration.”

Story continues below advertisement

“We’re here to really amplify Black voices, trans voices, Indigenous voices,” she said. “This is really a show of support for our entire community here on campus given some difficult times that we’re facing.”

The atrium was adorned with “Every Child Matters” posters, and one individual was handing out a flyers with the words “racism is not free speech.”


Frances Widdowson speaks with someone at the University of Lethbridge. She was planning to give a lecture, but was met with resistance. Taken Feb. 1, 2023.


Eloise Therien / Global News

Students, staff, faculty, and members of the community, including members of the Metis Nation of Alberta, were in attendance.

“This talk is not going to be happening here,” Bhatt told media before the event.

“She was given notice that the talk is cancelled on campus. If she wants to come by here she’s welcome to join in on our round dance, she’s welcomed to join in on the festivities, she’s welcomed to play a game of ping pong with us — but that’s all that’s going to be happening here.”

Story continues below advertisement

Widdowson arrived around 4:30 p.m., and observed and applauded the drumming and dancing. But it quickly became clear she wouldn’t be able to give her lecture there, and tried to move to a different location.

Read more:

Petition calls for MRU professor be fired over controversial, ‘racist’ comments

Read next:

Candice Bergen announces resignation: ‘Not really one for long goodbyes’

She was followed and said she ultimately left the building around 5 p.m. with the help of security.

“I wasn’t afraid or anything,” Widdowson told Global News after the fact. “I wasn’t threatened by it.

“I was just sort of disappointed that I wasn’t able to speak.”

Mike Mahon, president of vice-chancellor of the U of L, released a statement regarding the peaceful protest.

“Earlier tonight, over 700 students, staff, faculty and community supporters engaged in a protest of a controversial speaker, and another large group attended a lecture on the importance of truth before reconciliation,” Mahon’s statement read.

“Tonight’s events were a coming together of our community to show support for each other and a reflection of the values of the University of Lethbridge.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our community members for conducting themselves in such a peaceful and powerful manner.”

Story continues below advertisement


Click to play video: 'U of L cancels controversial lecture Frances Widdowson, speaker still presenting on campus'


U of L cancels controversial lecture Frances Widdowson, speaker still presenting on campus


Widdowson added she gave a successful talk to a class of philosophy students on Tuesday, at the invitation of a professor.

“It was an excellent class,” she said.

“I was really, very very heartened by the students. They didn’t agree with me. They had very important questions that they wanted to ask.”

Read more:

Alberta government promising changes to campuses amid university ‘woke’ free speech standoff

Read next:

Canada’s designated COVID-19 quarantine facilities cost nearly $389M over 3 years: PHAC

Widdowson said she gave the planned lecture that didn’t happen in-person through on Zoom Wednesday at 7 p.m.

— With files from Dean Bennett, The Canadian Press

&copy 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

FOLLOW US ON GOOGLE NEWS

Read original article here

Denial of responsibility! News Leaflets is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.
Leave a comment
vulvatube.com teenpornvideo.mobi desi girls sexy
sex video in bus tubekitty.mobi kamapichachi
the broken marriage vow march 12 full episode teleseryepisode.com mateo lorenzo net worth
telugu hd sex pornflex.org bluefilmtamil
indian sex stories lesbian indaporn.com best sex mms
hinde xnxx video redwap2.com bangla chudachudi
طيز خليجي filmstreamingporno.com التحرش بالمنقبات
affair sex video ultraporn.mobi deshimagi
tubb99 nuporn.mobi mumbaixvideo
agimat ng agila cast watchpinoyteleserye.com stl today result
age of tamanna pimpmovs.com xxxxx inden
indan xvideo com xxx-tube-list.net indina six video
gonzo xxx sunny leone eporner.name desi pirn
بنت تلعب في كسها teentubeonline.com سكس امهات اسيوي
largeporn film tubepatrol.porn kama katai