We would like to bring to your attention an event taking place at the University of Toronto which should be cause for concern to the student body as it threatens the integrity of this Canadian institution.

In line with Turkish President Erdogan’s numerous calls to its embassies to actively challenge Armenian Genocide recognition and commemoration in light of its 100th anniversary, on February 27, the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations has invited infamous genocide deniers Justin McCarthy and Bruce Fein to be the keynote speakers at an event titled “WWI 100th Anniversary-Human Suffering in Eastern Anatolia”. The event will take place at the University of Toronto’s University College. At a time when the world will be commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, events of this sort attempt to trivialize the issue through denialist claims. According to genocide scholar Gregory Stanton denial is considered the 10th and last stage of genocide. As in the past, McCarthy and Fein are once again on tour to parrot the Turkish Government’s propaganda and denial which amounts to hate-speech and is considered to be the perpetuation of the cycle of genocide.

In commenting about the denial of the Armenian Genocide writer and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel has said “Genocide kills twice, the second time by silence.”

Please sign the petition below to voice your concern to the University of Toronto president and leadership. Let us stand together against genocide denial. visit http://www.ayfcanada.org and sign petition

Stop the University of Toronto from giving a podium to genocide deniers!

If you are a current University of Toronto student or alumni, please give the U of T President’s office (416-978-4163) and University College Principal (416 978-7516) a call to voice your concern.
 
 

PETITION: STOP #UofT from giving a podium to #Genocide #Deniers Justin McCarthy & Bruce Fein http://t.co/9mLE4Ou9Uv pic.twitter.com/oTlSXvUSej

— AYF Canada (@AYFCanada) February 25, 2015