Three diverse students with “your activism is an act of love” in hand lettering on top. On the right, an Asian student is holding a megaphone with a banner coming out that reads “thank you for loving this world so much, you strive to make it better”.

Historically, student-led activism, assembly, and direct action on university and college campuses have helped advance social movements, uplift marginalized voices, and contribute to public discourse for ongoing injustices. This work continues to today and is a tenet of our community of graduate students at Laurier.

An illustration of six diverse students with their heads resting on one another. Across the top there is hand lettering that reads, “may you find community to grieve, rage, and resist alongside”.

Laurier, as an institution, identifies their core vision as one of commitment to justice and instilling the courage to engage and challenge the world in all its complexity. Some of our students seek to embody that vision by engaging in activist-centered action in their communities (e.g., lending their support to the to the former Gaza House encampment at UWaterloo). We continue to call on institutional leadership and government at all levels to ensure the safety of those who engage in peaceful protests. This includes the protection of personal autonomy without threats of violence, intimidation, or sanctions that limit full participation in the academic community.

An illustration of two diverse students leaning down and hugging a queer black student in a wheelchair from each side. Surrounding the students is hand lettering that reads, “you deserve to feel safe, seen, and supported – here and everywhere”.

Increasingly, we are hearing from our students that they fear retribution for coming forward to share their experiences of advocating for themselves or others, and when engaging in activism and assembly in their communities. We want to foster a community of safety and support where creativity, compassion, inclusivity, advocacy, and persistence are shared core values.

We reject anti-Palestinian or Arab racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, discrimination, and all forms of harm against individuals based on their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other characteristic. We are working hard to create inclusive spaces in person and online for graduate students to foster connections and share their experiences, supporting channels for community care and challenging the notion that safety and contentment are only for some.

Illustration of two female presenting students smelling flowers with larger whimsical flowers in the background. The student on the left has a small child around their back. The top reads “you are allowed to rest and rediscover what nourishes you”.

Graduate students need targeted communications, programs, and services from institutions designed to meet their unique needs. Our advocacy efforts prioritize addressing the burdens that graduate students face to provide needed respite and graduate student-centred care. As you continue to find your unique voice in an increasingly complex global society, we are here to support you.

- The WLU GSA Board of Directors