Latest news with #anti-Indigenous
Montreal Gazette
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Discord takes down racist channel used by Quebec med school applicants
Discord, an increasingly popular social media platform based in San Francisco, has deactivated a controversial channel used by Quebec medical school applicants that was overrun by antisemitic and other racist messages, including threats of violence, The Gazette can confirm. Hours after the newspaper reported last Friday about a virulent stream of hateful content on the 1,400-member Med serveur channel on Discord, the chat forum suddenly disappeared. The deactivation occurred following a statement by Discord spokesperson Jillian Susi that 'once we become aware of such (hateful) content, we immediately take appropriate enforcement actions, which can include banning users and shutting down servers.' Quebec med student applicants immediately switched en masse to another server on Discord called 'ADMISSION MED QC 2024,' which had seen little activity since last year. That channel's membership has surged to nearly 700 members since last Friday. The Gazette has learned that Montreal police have launched an investigation into the origin of the racist trolling on Discord, even in going so far as to share information with the RCMP and CSIS concerning some of the perpetrators. Officially, a spokesperson for the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal would neither confirm nor deny that it is conducting an investigation. Dawson College, for its part, is carrying out its own probe into the antisemitic, misogynistic, homophobic, anti-Black and anti-Indigenous slurs on the since-deactivated Discord channel. At least one of the perpetrators of the inflammatory content on Discord is alleged to be a Dawson student enrolled in the enriched health science program and, until recently, a medical school applicant. In recent days, most of the language on the revived Discord channel, ADMISSION MED QC 2024, is considerably less prejudiced than on Med serveur. However, one user — who goes by the handle HydroBeatz — praised Hitler on Sunday as a 'charismatic' orator and 'particularly engaging,' but that didn't mean 'my words are antisemitic. That's exaggerated.' In 2024, some anonymous users on ADMISSION MED QC 2024 did engage in antisemitic, anti-Black, anti-Indigenous and misogynistic exchanges. At the same time, users last weekend alluded to The Gazette's coverage of the controversy on the revived channel. 'There are people who are snitching to the police,' a user named AimBot complained on Saturday. The previous day, however, a different user cited The Gazette article as well, saying they hoped the atmosphere on the revived channel would be 'respectful of everyone.' Meanwhile, McGill University's medical faculty released a statement on Tuesday evening condemning the hateful epithets on Discord by some aspiring doctors. 'The McGill faculty of medicine and health sciences does not tolerate hate speech,' the university declared. 'Our university has equity, diversity and inclusion policies that state that hateful and divisive language will not be tolerated in our community under any circumstances. As for the unacceptable comments made on the platform referenced, to our knowledge no students admitted to our faculty were among the authors. Our policies and regulations allow us to act accordingly if this was to be the case.' On Monday, Quebec Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry also denounced the incendiary rhetoric on Discord and appealed to both students and medical school applicants to come forward to assist in the investigation by authorities. 'The calls for violence and expressions of hatred in these exchanges are totally unacceptable in Quebec,' Simon Savignac, Déry's press attaché, said in a statement on Monday. In December, Déry opened an inquiry into complaints of racist bullying from students at Dawson and Vanier colleges stemming from the Israel-Hamas war. Since then, some academic union leaders have accused Déry of political interference after she demanded Dawson justify the content of a French course with most of the material focusing on the Palestinian cause. This story was originally published
Toronto Sun
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Quebec urges students to help in racism investigation
Higher education minister praises Dawson College for launching probe Published May 12, 2025 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 3 minute read Dawson College has launched an investigation into the origin of antisemitic, misogynistic, homophobic, anti-Black and anti-Indigenous slurs on a channel of the Discord online chat forum. John Mahoney/Montreal Gazette Warning: This story contains offensive language and imagery. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. 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Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Quebec's Higher Education Minister, Pascale Déry, is denouncing a virulent stream of racist and other hateful messages on a popular social media platform for medical school applicants after The Gazette broke the story over the weekend. 'The calls for violence and expressions of hatred in these exchanges are totally unacceptable in Quebec,' Simon Savignac, Déry's press attaché, said in a statement on Monday. 'It is all the more worrying to note that the authors of these comments are aspiring doctors, who could be entrusted with the health of Quebecers. We applaud the fact that Dawson College's management is taking the situation seriously; launching an investigation was the right thing to do to ensure a healthy and safe climate for all students. However, since it is difficult to identify the vast majority of perpetrators at this stage, we invite anyone with information to report them to their school's management.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Gazette reported that Dawson College has launched an investigation into the origin of antisemitic, misogynistic, homophobic, anti-Black and anti-Indigenous slurs on a channel of the Discord online chat forum for students to discuss the applications process involving Quebec's four medical schools. At least one of the perpetrators of the hateful content on Discord is alleged to be a Dawson student enrolled in the enriched health science program, and until recently, a medical school applicant. The offending posts on the Discord Med serveur channel also included threats of violence against Jews and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, with one anonymous troll displaying an image of a firearms locker stocked with shotguns under a gay pride flag. Meanwhile, the Service de police de la ville de Montréal (SPVM) would neither confirm nor deny whether it has launched a criminal investigation despite the fact that it has received at least two complaints — one from a medical student and the other from an ad-hoc group representing Jewish physicians. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'For reasons of confidentiality, the … SPVM never confirms, with rare exceptions, that an individual or legal entity has filed a complaint or is the subject of a complaint,' spokesperson Mélanie Bergeron said in an email. 'The same applies to any investigation, so as not to hinder its progress.' In contrast, the internal investigation at Dawson is making headway, the CEGEP's director of communications and corporate affairs confirmed on Monday. 'The investigation is advancing,' Donna Varrica said. 'We are awaiting clarity on a couple of important points before considering any action or calling it closed. As for any changes to webpages on our website that reference specific students in order to identify them in another context, … I can't comment on that.' Varrica was alluding to Gazette queries concerning the disappearance of references to a student on its website. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Déry's appeal for assistance from students and members of the public in identifying the perpetrators of the hateful online epithets comes as an atmosphere of fear and secrecy has descended on the the Med serveur Discord channel and within the halls of Quebec CEGEPs. In December, Déry opened an investigation into complaints of racist bullying from students at Dawson and Vanier colleges arising from tensions related to the Israel-Hamas war. Since then, some academic union leaders have accused Déry of political interference after she demanded that Dawson justify the content of a French course with most of the material focusing on the Palestinian cause. Although most of the offensive posts have since been taken down from the Discord channel, B'nai Brith Canada captured some of them, including the degrading comment: 'Imagine a woman under antidepressant(s) and f—ing Ritalin who (performs) surgery on you. She'll vomit mid-surgery because it's too stressful and she needs a mental health break.' A screenshot of another remark alluded to the Jewish skullcap: 'Don't worry, you can trust me as long as you don't have a kippah under your wig.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. B'nai Brith Canada has exposed a public Discord server used by Quebec medical school applicants and attendees that became a cesspool of antisemitism, racism, misogyny, and hate. For months, a number ofaspiring doctors openly posted Holocaust denial, praise for the 'Final… — B'nai Brith Canada (@bnaibrithcanada) May 8, 2025 Discord, the San Francisco-based app popular among teens and university students, has also launched its own investigation into the Med serveur channel. The racist posts have rekindled feelings of anxiety in Montreal's Jewish community that have persisted since Oct. 7, 2023 — the date when Hamas invaded Israel and committed the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Following the start of the Israel-Hamas war, entrances to Montreal synagogues have been firebombed, among other acts of antisemitic violence.
Montreal Gazette
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Quebec urges students to help in racism investigation
Warning: This story contains offensive language and imagery. Quebec's Higher Education Minister, Pascale Déry, is denouncing a virulent stream of racist and other hateful messages on a popular social media platform for medical school applicants after The Gazette broke the story over the weekend. 'The calls for violence and expressions of hatred in these exchanges are totally unacceptable in Quebec,' Simon Savignac, Déry's press attaché, said in a statement on Monday. 'It is all the more worrying to note that the authors of these comments are aspiring doctors, who could be entrusted with the health of Quebecers. We applaud the fact that Dawson College's management is taking the situation seriously; launching an investigation was the right thing to do to ensure a healthy and safe climate for all students. However, since it is difficult to identify the vast majority of perpetrators at this stage, we invite anyone with information to report them to their school's management.' The Gazette reported that Dawson College has launched an investigation into the origin of antisemitic, misogynistic, homophobic, anti-Black and anti-Indigenous slurs on a channel of the Discord online chat forum for students to discuss the applications process involving Quebec's four medical schools. At least one of the perpetrators of the hateful content on Discord is alleged to be a Dawson student enrolled in the enriched health science program, and until recently, a medical school applicant. The offending posts on the Discord Med serveur channel also included threats of violence against Jews and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, with one anonymous troll displaying an image of a firearms locker stocked with shotguns under a gay pride flag. Meanwhile, the Service de police de la ville de Montréal (SPVM) would neither confirm nor deny whether it has launched a criminal investigation despite the fact that it has received at least two complaints — one from a medical student and the other from an ad-hoc group representing Jewish physicians. 'For reasons of confidentiality, the ... SPVM never confirms, with rare exceptions, that an individual or legal entity has filed a complaint or is the subject of a complaint,' spokesperson Mélanie Bergeron said in an email. 'The same applies to any investigation, so as not to hinder its progress.' In contrast, the internal investigation at Dawson is making headway, the CEGEP's director of communications and corporate affairs confirmed on Monday. 'The investigation is advancing,' Donna Varrica said. 'We are awaiting clarity on a couple of important points before considering any action or calling it closed. As for any changes to webpages on our website that reference specific students in order to identify them in another context, ... I can't comment on that.' Varrica was alluding to Gazette queries concerning the disappearance of references to a student on its website. Déry's appeal for assistance from students and members of the public in identifying the perpetrators of the hateful online epithets comes as an atmosphere of fear and secrecy has descended on the the Med serveur Discord channel and within the halls of Quebec CEGEPs. In December, Déry opened an investigation into complaints of racist bullying from students at Dawson and Vanier colleges arising from tensions related to the Israel-Hamas war. Since then, some academic union leaders have accused Déry of political interference after she demanded that Dawson justify the content of a French course with most of the material focusing on the Palestinian cause. Although most of the offensive posts have since been taken down from the Discord channel, B'nai Brith Canada captured some of them, including the degrading comment: 'Imagine a woman under antidepressant(s) and f---ing Ritalin who (performs) surgery on you. She'll vomit mid-surgery because it's too stressful and she needs a mental health break.' A screenshot of another remark alluded to the Jewish skullcap: 'Don't worry, you can trust me as long as you don't have a kippah under your wig.' B'nai Brith Canada has exposed a public Discord server used by Quebec medical school applicants and attendees that became a cesspool of antisemitism, racism, misogyny, and hate. For months, a number ofaspiring doctors openly posted Holocaust denial, praise for the 'Final… — B'nai Brith Canada (@bnaibrithcanada) May 8, 2025 Discord, the San Francisco-based app popular among teens and university students, has also launched its own investigation into the Med serveur channel. The racist posts have rekindled feelings of anxiety in Montreal's Jewish community that have persisted since Oct. 7, 2023 — the date when Hamas invaded Israel and committed the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Following the start of the Israel-Hamas war, entrances to Montreal synagogues have been firebombed, among other acts of antisemitic violence. This story was originally published May 12, 2025 at 5:49 PM.
25-04-2025
- Politics
Australian prime minister condemns anti-Indigenous rights protests during war dead commemorations
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned anti-Indigenous rights protesters who disrupted two Anzac Day dawn services on Friday as hundreds of thousands gathered across the nation to commemorate their war dead. 'The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt and the people responsible must face the full force of the law,' Albanese told reporters. 'This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honor courage and sacrifice,' he added. The protests come during a heightened political atmosphere ahead of general elections on May 3 in which Indigenous rights are a campaign issue. April 25, 1915 was the day when the newly-formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, in northwest Turkey, in an ill-fated campaign that was the soldiers' first combat of World War I. It is considered Australia's most unifying national holiday and a sacred day when political point-scoring and protest are generally avoided. A group of hecklers including self-described Nazi Jacob Hersant booed and jeered during a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne where 50,000 gathered. In Perth, a lone man yelled briefly during a dawn service at Kings Park before the 25,000 people who surrounded him persuaded him to stay silent, a police statement said. The man left soon after. The disruptions were triggered in both cities by the so-called Welcome to Country ceremony, which is held at the outset of many Australian public events in which Indigenous leaders welcome visitors to their traditional land. The Melbourne-based First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, an Indigenous advocacy group, said in a statement it 'strongly condemns the racist attack during the Welcome to Country' in Melbourne. Albanese said the disruptions in both Melbourne and Perth were a 'disgrace.' 'There is no place in Australia for what occurred,' Albanese said. In Melbourne, the interruptions continued after the Welcome to Country at any mention by speakers of Indigenous soldiers or traditional owners of Australia. Hecklers yelled 'this is our country' and 'we don't have to be welcomed,' echoing a slogan of the minor party Trumpet of Patriots. The party's extensive advertising is funded by mining magnate Clive Palmer and party officials say they are inspired by U.S. President Donald Trump's policies. The hecklers were drowned out by the applause of others who urged the speakers to continue. Lawmakers in the opposition conservative Liberal Party have complained that Welcome to Country ceremonies have become too prevalent and cost the center-left Labor Party government 452,953 Australian dollars ($289,602) over two years. But opposition leader Peter Dutton on Friday defended the place of such Indigenous ceremonies on Anzac Day. 'Welcome to Country is an important part of official ceremonies and it should be respected. I don't agree with the booing and I don't agree, in our democracy, that people can't accept the views of others,' Dutton told reporters. 'We have a proud Indigenous heritage in this country and we should be proud to celebrate it as part of today.' Police were seen escorting Hersant away from the Melbourne service. Hersant is a leader of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network and last year became the first person in Australia to be sentenced to prison for performing an outlawed Nazi salute. He remains free on bail because his appeal against a one-month prison sentence has yet to be heard. 'They want to humiliate us over and over again,' Hersant told reporters before police led him away, referring to Indigenous leaders. . Hersant's lawyer did not immediately respond to the AP's request for comment on Friday. Victoria Police confirmed a 26-year-old Melbourne man had been directed to leave the service. They did not confirm the suspect's identity in accordance with its usual policy. The suspect had been interviewed over an allegation of offensive behavior and would be issued a summons to appear in court, a police statement said. Video showed at least one other protester repeating a white supremacist slogan being dragged away from the service by a member of the public. Western Australia Police Force said the Perth service disruption remained under investigation. 'The Anzac Day service is a solemn commemoration and any disorderly behavior at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police,' a police statement said.
Toronto Star
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Australian prime minister condemns anti-Indigenous rights protests during war dead commemorations
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned anti-Indigenous rights protesters who disrupted two Anzac Day dawn services on Friday as hundreds of thousands gathered across the nation to commemorate their war dead. 'The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt and the people responsible must face the full force of the law,' Albanese told reporters. 'This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honor courage and sacrifice,' he added. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The protests come during a heightened political atmosphere ahead of general elections on May 3 in which Indigenous rights are a campaign issue. April 25, 1915 was the day when the newly-formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, in northwest Turkey, in an ill-fated campaign that was the soldiers' first combat of World War I. It is considered Australia's most unifying national holiday and a sacred day when political point-scoring and protest are generally avoided. Protesters disrupt dawn services in Melbourne and Perth A group of hecklers including self-described Nazi Jacob Hersant booed and jeered during a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne where 50,000 gathered. In Perth, a lone man yelled briefly during a dawn service at Kings Park before the 25,000 people who surrounded him persuaded him to stay silent, a police statement said. The man left soon after. The disruptions were triggered in both cities by the so-called Welcome to Country ceremony, which is held at the outset of many Australian public events in which Indigenous leaders welcome visitors to their traditional land. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The Melbourne-based First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, an Indigenous advocacy group, said in a statement it 'strongly condemns the racist attack during the Welcome to Country' in Melbourne. Prime minister labels protests 'disgrace' Albanese said the disruptions in both Melbourne and Perth were a 'disgrace.' 'There is no place in Australia for what occurred,' Albanese said. In Melbourne, the interruptions continued after the Welcome to Country at any mention by speakers of Indigenous soldiers or traditional owners of Australia. Hecklers yelled 'this is our country' and 'we don't have to be welcomed,' echoing a slogan of the minor party Trumpet of Patriots. The party's extensive advertising is funded by mining magnate Clive Palmer and party officials say they are inspired by U.S. President Donald Trump's policies. The hecklers were drowned out by the applause of others who urged the speakers to continue. Lawmakers in the opposition conservative Liberal Party have complained that Welcome to Country ceremonies have become too prevalent and cost the center-left Labor Party government 452,953 Australian dollars ($289,602) over two years. Opposition leader defends Indigenous ceremony But opposition leader Peter Dutton on Friday defended the place of such Indigenous ceremonies on Anzac Day. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'Welcome to Country is an important part of official ceremonies and it should be respected. I don't agree with the booing and I don't agree, in our democracy, that people can't accept the views of others,' Dutton told reporters. 'We have a proud Indigenous heritage in this country and we should be proud to celebrate it as part of today.' Police were seen escorting Hersant away from the Melbourne service. Hersant is a leader of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network and last year became the first person in Australia to be sentenced to prison for performing an outlawed Nazi salute. He remains free on bail because his appeal against a one-month prison sentence has yet to be heard. 'They want to humiliate us over and over again,' Hersant told reporters before police led him away, referring to Indigenous leaders. . Hersant's lawyer did not immediately respond to the AP's request for comment on Friday. Victoria and Western Australia state police respond Victoria Police confirmed a 26-year-old Melbourne man had been directed to leave the service. They did not confirm the suspect's identity in accordance with its usual policy. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The suspect had been interviewed over an allegation of offensive behavior and would be issued a summons to appear in court, a police statement said. Video showed at least one other protester repeating a white supremacist slogan being dragged away from the service by a member of the public. Western Australia Police Force said the Perth service disruption remained under investigation. 'The Anzac Day service is a solemn commemoration and any disorderly behavior at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police,' a police statement said.
