WATCH ABOVE: In the wake of Monday’s hate display and following reports last week of online threats against women on campus, our reporter Kascha Cassaday is asking the question… Are students and faculty feeling safe at Ryerson? Here’s her report.
Last week, someone using the screen name “Kill Feminists” commented on blogTO articles urging people to hurt feminists and professors in the sociology and women’s studies departments at the U of T.
One of several comments made Sept. 5 reads, “The feminists who act rude to you at the U of T should be shot to death and the remaining survivors tied to a tree with their throats slit with a dull knife.”
The university has issued a warning to students, faculty and staff and said the institution is working with the Toronto Police Service and Peel Regional Police to discover who is responsible for the threats.
President Meric Gertler at the U of T stated, “Violence against women is a despicable reality in Canada and around the world. We must take every opportunity to condemn it and work tirelessly to bring it to an end.”
U of T security was on high alert Friday after threatening comments were posted online. (bobistraveling / Creative Commons)
The U of T has increased campus security in order to ensure safety within the community. The school noted, via its Twitter account, “We are proud of the U of T community for watching out for each other and offering to walk with female students/staff.”
Ophelie Zalcmanis-Lai, editor-in-chief of McClung’s Magazine, a feminist publication at Ryerson, said the threat was “disgusting.”
“I hope U of T responds proactively and appropriately,” she said. “I don’t understand why there’s so much intolerance and hatred for feminists.”
The university advises the community to be aware of safety alerts on the U of T website and has encouraged anyone to “report suspicious activities to campus police.”
