Vancouver instructor's job in jeopardy over Pro-Palestine remarks

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: United in Struggle
6 Nov 2023 15:47

Upholding resistance in the face of illegal occupation could cost Natalie Knight, an English instructor at Langara College, her job.

Natalie Knight delivered a speech at a pro-Palestinian rally in late October (United in Struggle)

A Canadian group United in Struggle has released the initial public remarks of a Vancouver college professor who was suspended for her statements during a pro-Palestinian rally in the city last weekend in the wake of the ongoing brutal Israeli aggression that killed at least 10,000 Palestinians so far, mainly women and children.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, among others, has been exerting pressure to force Langara College to terminate Natalie Knight, an English instructor who addressed a pro-Palestinian rally on October 28.

Within a day of the speech, pro-Israeli activists on social media initiated a campaign, sharing a brief excerpt from Knight's address, in which she described the events of October 7 as an "amazing, brilliant offensive."

It is worth noting that the statement released by United in Struggle on Friday contained a link to a video of Knight's complete speech.

WE UPHOLD AND AFFIRM UNQUALIFIED SUPPORT FOR THE PALESTINIAN RESISTANCE AND POLITICAL SPEECH!

Statement on political attacks against Natalie Knight and the Palestinian struggle for liberation. All encouraged to circulate, sign as individuals & as orgs. https://t.co/daIw8mmgZf pic.twitter.com/4KWAtlQ1hJ
— United in Struggle (@UnitedNStruggle) November 2, 2023

In further detail, Knight started the speech by identifying herself and fellow attendees at the event as part of United in Struggle, a group she labels as a "revolutionary mass organization in East Vancouver" that unites "workers, Indigenous people, and all oppressed people to fight back against the ruling elites."

"United in Struggle upholds the unqualified right to resist and fight back against imperialist aggression, colonialism, and genocidal campaigns of the Israeli state," she added.

'Palestinians have the right to resist occupation'

In their statement released on Friday, United in Struggle once again expressed their full support for Palestinian resistance. It also featured Natalie Knight's initial public remarks on the issue.

In the statement, Knight affirms that "Palestinians have a right to resist occupation under international law."

"We will not be intimidated from exercising our right to express political support for the just resistance to Israeli occupation and the genocide of Palestinians," she added.

"Palestinians have resisted through strikes, mass protests, boycotts, United Nations resolutions, and motions at the International Criminal Court. Every form of Palestinian resistance has been criminalized by the Israeli state and condemned by Canadian officials," she tersely stated.

United in Struggle ended their statement by urging Langara to reinstate Knight and arguing that political expression is safeguarded by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Zachary Williams, another member of United in Struggle, said as quoted in the statement, "There have been many enthusiastic expressions of support for Israeli military operations, and yet no one is being threatened with losing their job."

On its account, Langara has requested "patience and understanding" as they look into Knight and her statements, characterizing the matter as "a confidential process."

Since the start of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, thousands have joined demonstrations in Canada to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, calling for an immediate ceasefire and expressing their opposition to what they perceive as "Israel's" policies of apartheid and occupation. Simultaneously, there have been pro-Israeli demonstrations, with some individuals linking support for Palestine to "anti-Semitism". However, there is a growing trend of taking action against employees who have shown support for Palestine in Canada.

Unsurprisingly, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attacked pro-Palestine demonstrations held across Canada, dubbing them a "glorification of violence" before heading over to a pro-"Israel" rally in a show of support to the Israeli occupation government.

Claiming Resistance is "terrorism", Trudeau wrote, via his X account: "The glorification of violence is never acceptable in Canada – by any group or in any situation. I strongly condemn the demonstrations that have taken place and are taking place, across the country in support of Hamas’ attacks on Israel. Let’s stand united against acts of terror."