A University of Albertain Canada, fired the director of the facility’s sexual violence center, Samantha Pearson (Photo) after supporting an open letter They deny that women were raped during the attack Hamason October 7th.
In a statement on Saturday 18, the university announced Pearson’s immediate resignation from his position and the appointment of a new interim director for the Sexual Violence Center. The institution also emphasized that the opinions of the now former director were taken into account do not represent those of the university.
The open letter, as shown by Catarina Rochamonte in The Antagonistwas written by two Canadian politicians, Sarah Jama, an Ontario MP, and Susan Kim, a councilor in Victoria.
“We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call on Canadian political leaders to end their complicity in the ongoing massacres and genocides in Gaza, occupied Palestine,” they wrote in the open letter.
University of Alberta president and vicechancellor Bill Flanagan said the letter was signed with “improper and unauthorized use” of the institution’s name.
“The services provided by the university, particularly those that support the wellbeing and health of community members, must be open and welcoming to all people in our diverse community,” Flanagan said.
Israeli authorities are investigating several cases of sexual violence and rape during the attack by the terrorist group Hamas on October 7, in which around 1,200 people were killed.