A motion to initiate a class action accuses Concordia University and its student association of having allowed for decades to create fertile ground on its Montreal campuses for anti-Semitism to proliferate, leaving students and professors psychologically scarred by this atmosphere.
The plaintiffs seek $15 million in damages for Jewish students, faculty and staff currently at Concordia, and those who attended or worked there within the past three years.
Two Concordia students and a professor filed the motion Thursday in Superior Court. The applicants wish to remain anonymous in the legal proceedings because they fear reprisals.
“Concordia University failed to adequately investigate and respond to anti-Semitic incidents that occurred in its buildings, which allowed anti-Semitism to proliferate on its campuses,” the petition states. “By failing to properly discipline students and/or student organizations for their anti-Semitic behavior […], the defendants ultimately created a safe space for anti-Semitism. »
The request comes as Concordia and other universities across the country attempt to deal with high tensions on campus linked to the war between Israel and Hamas.
Among the examples of anti-Semitic acts on the Concordia campus, the applicants cite the scuffle between pro-Israelis and pro-Palestinians on November 8. A student was arrested and three people were injured — two security guards and a student.
The petitioners list other examples of incidents that they say demonstrate decades of anti-Semitic sentiments on Concordia campuses.
The students and professor allege that “repeated discrimination” led to “significant psychological injuries” – including nightmares, flashbacks, fear of being on Concordia campuses and fear of identifying as Jewish.
In addition to failing in its duty to investigate anti-Semitic incidents and punish their perpetrators, the request accuses Concordia of failing to provide support to Jewish students targeted by these hateful acts and of failing to educate students about the question of anti-Semitism.
None of the allegations have been proven in court, which will first have to authorize the class action.
Concordia University has indicated that it does not comment on court cases. The Concordia Student Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did the firms De Louya Markakis and Eidelmann, which represent the plaintiffs in the class action.
The law firm Diamond&Diamond is pursuing a similar action against Queen’s University in Kingston, Metropolitan University and York University in Toronto, as well as the University of British Columbia. The managing partner at Diamond&Diamond, Sandra Zisckind, confirmed Friday that her firm was joining forces with Montreal firms De Louya Markakis and Eidelmann as part of the procedure against Concordia.