CAEF Letter to U of T President Woodin to Stop Campus Event Honouring Oct. 7 Terrorists
President Woodin’s response, received October 2, 2026, is below CAEF’s letter.
Dear President Woodin;
Organizations that identify with the University are planning to hold an event on the steps of Sidney Smith Hall on October 7, 2026 called Honouring our Martyrs. The “martyrs” to whom the title refer are the perpetrators of the attacks on October 7, 2023, in which more than 1,200 Israelis, Canadians, and nationals from over 20 countries were slaughtered and kidnapped with unrestrained brutality.
President Woodin, we are now asking that you act on your own words, spoken on September 15th at a very large conference on antisemitism. You said there is no room for Jew hatred on campus, and spoke of anti-harassment policies and said you would introduce a comprehensive policy. We expect strong action NOW. It is not okay to delay. Celebrating the murder of Jews, encouraging such anti-human behaviour, and ignoring the ongoing harm experienced by Jewish students, faculty, administration and their allies is unacceptable, unforgivable, unprofessional.
We expect to hear from you as to the actions you’re taking, including holding those organizing this monstrous event accountable. Were they to fly Nazi flags you would understand the severity of their antisemitic actions but standing with Hamas and other terrorists is demonstrating the same ideological hatred--blame the Jews, torment and eradicate the Jews, now disguised as hatred for Israel.
This is urgent. Act now. Speak up and show leadership which U of T sorely has lacked in providing a safe place for Jews.
Regards, Andria Spindel Executive Director Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation
Response from President Melanie Woodin, University of Toronto, October 2, 2026
Dear Andria Spindel,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns with our office.
The University is aware of a gathering that is being planned and advertised to occur on Oct. 7 outside the Sidney Smith Building on our St. George campus, and on adjacent city streets that fall outside the University’s jurisdiction. Organizers include recognized student groups, and entities that have no recognition or status at U of T.
In assessing any gatherings, the University’s immediate concern is ensuring physical safety. We also balance our commitments to freedom of expression and protecting human rights alongside our obligations under the Ontario government’s free speech directive and Bill 166 regulations.
It is not the University’s role to adjudicate speech that falls within the bounds of its policies or Canadian law. The University will act swiftly to enforce its policies should it become aware of potential violations and will respond promptly to complaints under our policies. Anyone present on our campuses, whether members of the University community or visitors, must comply with University policies and the law.
The University has communicated to recognized student groups involved in planning the Oct. 7 gathering at Sidney Smith that it cannot proceed as advertised because of significant safety and operational concerns. These concerns include physical safety risks to participants and to members of the broader University community due to the unsuitability of the space for large gatherings and the online promotion of counter-protests to take place at the same time.
The University is also taking this step to ensure that academic activities and operations – which include the need for thousands of students to move through the area on that day and time to attend classes, office hours and other activities – can continue without significant disruption.
We understand that some members of our community may need extra support next week. We have a range of always-on resources available to faculty, students, librarians and staff, and drop-in community supports that have been arranged for October 6-9.
Thank you again for reaching out.
Sincerely,
Office of the President University of Toronto Suite 206, Simcoe Hall 27 King's College Circle Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1
Comments