By Nathaly Schneider

A lot of exciting things have been happening across Ontario over the last week, but without a doubt the event stirring up the most buzz is the upcoming referendum taking place at Queen’s University.

Readers may remember a post a few months back regarding inappropriate anti-Israel statements that Nick Day, Rector at Queen’s University made during a Remembrance Day speech.  While little time has passed from now and then, Nick Day again chose to abuse his podium to alienate a portion of the student body that he was assigned to represent. This time the comments stemmed from a letter responding to Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff’s condemnation of Israel Apartheid week.  In his letter, Day not only horrible demonizes Israel, but does so acknowledging that he was “elected to represent the approximately 20,000 students of Queen's University”.

Fed-up with being misrepresented by their Rector, students at Queen’s have put forth a referendum to strip Nick Day of his position.

Alex Rotman, a second year student at Queen’s explained why the motion was put forth:

“For the second time this year, the Rector has used the weight of his office to make divisive and inappropriate comments. The first was on Remembrance Day when he spoke to students, the second was in a letter to Michael Ignatieff where he signed off with his title of Rector. This, along with the neglect of various duties under his mandate has sparked student outrage and calls for his removal.”

- Alexander Rotman, Political Science & Economics, Queen’s University.

The referendum is set to take place this Tuesday March 22^nd and Wednesday March 23^rd. Hasbara Fellowships commends all of the student leaders at Queen’s who are tirelessly working on this initiative, and we encourage all Queen’s University students to VOTE YES to Reclaim Your Voice!.

Other resources:

Video: Nick Day ...On Your Behalf