The College of Alberta has fired Samantha Pearson, the director of the Sexual Assault Centre after she signed an open letter penned by ousted Ontario MPP Sarah Jama that calls into query whether or not Israeli girls had been subjected to rape and sexual violence throughout a Hamas assault on Oct. 7.
Jama, an Impartial MPP from Hamilton, Ont., was the letter’s first signatory. She was booted from the NDP caucus final month after making controversial feedback in assist of Palestinians.
Pearson signed the letter on behalf of the College of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre.
In an announcement Saturday, the college’s president and vice-chancellor Invoice Flanagan mentioned: “I wish to be clear that the previous worker’s private views and opinions don’t in any method signify these of the College of Alberta.”
“The College of Alberta stands firmly and unequivocally in opposition to discrimination and hatred on the premise of faith, race, ethnicity, nationwide origin, and different protected classes. We acknowledge the historic and ongoing harms of antisemitism and decide to doing all we will as a college to advance a world freed from prejudice and discrimination,” Flanagan mentioned.
The open letter states the accusations that Palestinians had been responsible of sexual violence had been “unverified.”
Premier Danielle Smith additionally launched an announcement on the platform X, previously often called Twitter supporting the college’s determination. “I unequivocally agree with The College of Alberta’s determination to dismiss the director. All areas together with college campuses should be protected for all. Anti-semitism of any sort should not be tolerated.”
The college has appointed a brand new interim director of the Sexual Assault Centre.
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