McGill investigating tweet by instructor who allegedly promoted violence against Iranian protesters
McGill University says it is investigating one of its instructors who allegedly called for the death of people participating in anti-government protests in the streets of Iran in recent weeks.
Members inside and outside the McGill community are accusing the staff member, Soroosh Shahriari, of promoting hate speech and inciting violence. They also say the university is acting too slowly in holding him accountable and plan to hold a protest on campus Thursday evening.
A post from his Twitter account, which has since been deleted, said how "sweet" and "heartwarming" it would be to see the leaders of the protests killed.
Shahriari is an instructor in the Jewish studies program for the fall 2022 semester, according to McGill's website.
On Sept. 22, a post from his Twitter account appeared to comment on the recent uprising in Tehran after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody after being arrested by Iran's "morality police."
She was arrested after being targeted by authorities because her headscarf was allegedly too loose, in violation of an enforced dress code for women in Iran.
Since her death, protesters have taken to the streets, many of them women who have boldly removed their hijabs as they call for the removal of Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since Amini's funeral on Sept. 17, protests have spread to more than 80 cities in Iran and Amnesty International estimates at least 52 people have been killed by security forces between Sept. 19 and 25.
"How good and heartwarming it will be to experience the execution of hundreds of Mojahedin leaders arrested in the recent riots. Oh Good, it is sweet!" reads the controversial tweet from Shahriari's account.
CTV News reached out to Shahriari via email and he declined to comment publicly.
Along with his Twitter account, his Facebook and LinkedIn accounts also appear to have been deleted.
An online petition that has collected more than 23,000 signatures calls on McGill to investigate the matter and to enforce the university's policies.
"The particular tweet praises execution and may incite violence against protestors. In our view, and given the context summarized above, the “Mojahedin leaders arrested” in this tweet can only be interpreted as a reference to Iranian protesters or a group of protesters whom the tweet author speculates to be members of [People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran]," the petition reads.
"The statement was felt by us to be a veiled threat to the safety of any individual, including McGill students, who support freedom-seeking protestors in Iran or may share political beliefs that are targeted by this tweet."
When asked if Shahriari is still an instructor, McGill said it could not comment due to privacy laws.
The university wrote that it is balancing the heightened concern over the "shocking posts" on social media with the instructor's freedom of expression.
"We continue to look into the matter very closely and we have reached out directly to Iranian students at McGill to offer support at this difficult time. We have also encouraged all students, whether Iranian or not, who require support to seek out the resources available at McGill," a spokesperson wrote in an email.
"As we have reminded our community, it is crucial for all of us to remember the importance of procedural fairness and to take into account the wide protection offered to free expression in our society, even when such expression is distasteful or disturbing."
In the meantime, a poster with the title "Freedom of repression" was circulating on social media promoting a "sit-in" at McGill from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday.
- Listen on CJAD 800: Protests around the globe are calling into question the Iranian regime
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
Blinken delivers some of the strongest U.S. public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency.