Di Grappa: McGill students don't have the right to protest

26 September

[@MyTheba]

Keep up the Fight!!! You deserve to be treated Fairly!!! BA(CUPE 1975) Saskatoon .

[@hominid5]

@cigartom Fact is, most tuition is paid at least in part by people's parents. Arguments in favour of tuition-free university: a) tuition discriminates against those parents have less money and discourages many from attending; b) the more people who are educated the better off society is. Yes, contrary arguments exist but you can't casually dismiss these ones. Look at the mess in the States now with sky-rocketing student debt.

[@nick1706]

@vegmoore True, of course, the McGill admin certainly hasn't acted much better sometimes. But as for the injunction, there are MANY law-abiding behaviours that are nonetheless unacceptable, including taking over swaths of small streets in the McGill Ghetto and making RIDICULOUS amounts of noise. Frankly, I don't see how having to listen to trucks honking, drums, and megaphones during a class improves their position. I fail to see how MUNACA has only done good, and the admin only contempt...

[@MegaBeez123]

this isn't something to be proud of. these are your own school administrators and whether you acknowledge it or not they are doing the best to run this school.. FOR YOUR BENEFIT. of course it is easy to side with anyone that complains and hard to have any real perspective on the situation or mcgills efforts to ease the situation. munaca's protest shows disrespect for the community they say the work so hard to serve.. but munaca isn't even a fifth as offensive as what you are saying

[@vegmoore]

@rationalityfirst1 These are, as far as I know, all students. The immediate reason for the action is injustice done by McGill in filing an injunction without any credible justification against workers exercising their legal rights. But beyond that, is it so hard to understand people being compassionate? Or standing together as people all equally screwed over by the administration? And if anything, student action foreshortens the strike by putting pressure on the administration to negotiate.

[@nick1706]

Seriously, I understand that there is a real argument to be made on BOTH sides of this issue, but students (my fellow students in fact) getting all hopped-up on pseudo-liberal fantasies and adopting the always-tactless mob mentality will never do any good. Yelling "liar" and making snide remarks won't either. It may be useful to get the emotions out of this, so a rational discussion can take place. There were a few futile attempts here, but more of that and less of the former would be nice.

[@hominid5]

@jgdurl I agree with you, but there IS clearly a right to 'demonstrate' as well: Chap. 1, Art. 25-26: 25. Every student enjoys within the University the freedoms of opinion, of expression and of peaceful assembly. 5. Disruption (c) Nothing in this Article or Code shall be construed to prohibit peaceful assemblies and demonstrations, lawful picketing, or to inhibit free speech.

[@hominid5]

@EthanTheMighty I think he said you don't have the right to protest, but you clearly do: Chap. 1, Art. 25-26: 25. Every student enjoys within the University the freedoms of opinion, of expression and of peaceful assembly. 26. (c) Nothing in this Article or Code shall be construed to prohibit peaceful assemblies and demonstrations, lawful picketing, or to inhibit free speech.

[@vegmoore]

@nick1706 (cont'd) It takes two sides to have a discussion, and the stream of misinformation and outright lies from the administration - to say nothing of their filing a legal injunction against their completely law-abiding, peaceful employees - shows they have nothing but contempt, and absolutely no interest in talking.

[@vegmoore]

@nick1706 Generally I'd agree with you, but the fact that this strike is even taking place indicates a breakdown in rational discussion. And McGill's treatment of a completely legitimate student protest reveals their complete lack of respect for the voices of the university community.

[@123benny4]

McGill is a corporation like any other. Spindoctoring to create a great image but in reality is internally something else. I work at McGill and have been treated unfairly like the rest of my colleagues.

[@hominid5]

@MegaBeez123 No one would deny this. But are you suggesting that no one should attempt to disagree with them or their decisions? If you can't protest at a university where can you protest? Alone in your dorm room?

[@vv260254]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! This is inspiring and heartening! Great job by all students involved. Also, Di Grappa was OWNED by that student at the end!

[@ptossowski]

Wait I commented a few days back about the tar-sands guy and his nonsense... and my comment was deleted? OMG you took my free speech! my rights!

[@TomMcBoston]

Are these the same students who were protesting last year demanding free tuition???? Where is the money supposed to come from? Oh yes: "the rich".

[@LoneWolfPete]

Unreal! If those two suits represent the best in terms of leadership McGill has to offer then Lord, have mercy upon those whose working conditions have been impacted by their ever-present "competence" .

[@vegmoore]

@Streggetta @Janko160288 I was just extracting a part and had to crop it briefly. Hang tight, it'll be back in a minute.

[@Dingo511]

Wow some of these art students really need more in there life.. most of us just want to go to school.

[@kylecb]

If you yell/raise your voice less, they will respond better. :)

[@katemagoo22]

Now everyone can see what we are dealing with. At least the students have their facts straight!!!

[@123benny4]

The students are smarter than administration.

[@looool45]

That's the reason why Di Grappa was kicked out of Concordia !!!!!!

[@Streggetta]

why was it edited?

[@vegmoore]

@rationalityfirst1 As for the 30% number, I'd refer you to a letter on the AMUSE site, especially the heading "Be Wary of the Numbers, or the Mysterious 30% Wage Increase." It clears up some common misconceptions that the university is circulating, and all of it can be confirmed by any MUNACA member. I can't link to it here, but go to amusemcgill . wordpress . com and click "STATEMENT ON MUNACA’S BARGAINING DEMANDS: A CLARIFICATION" at the top.

[@TomMcBoston]

@hominid5 Then why not charge high tuition and provide scholarships and bursaries to low income families. That is how it is supposed to work in the US, theoretically. Of course it doesn't pan out that way. Free tuition would subsidize affluent and middle class familes, not just the poor.