"Ms. Rollmann gives voice to the protesters at the MUNL encampment as well as their intention through her reporting. She humanizes the students and their right to freedom of speech. She shows the solidarity amongst the student body whether they are from MENA (Middle Eastern North African) or other marginalized communities. This illustrates the diversity of voices within the encampment rather than a monolithic mob, a theme often used by other reporters."
May 24th, 2024
To:
Rhea Rollmann, Contributor, The Independent
Justin Brake, Editor-In-Chief, The Independent
Dear Ms. Rollmann, and Mr. Brake,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to thank you for the article “MUNL encampment demands divestment of funds tied to Israel and arms manufacturers” that was published on May 22, 2024.
First off, I want to thank Ms. Rollmann for giving voice to the protesters at the MUNL encampment as well as their intention through her reporting. By doing so she humanizes the students and their right to freedom of speech. I also appreciate how she shows the solidarity amongst the student body whether they are from MENA (Middle Eastern North African) or other marginalized communities. This illustrates the diversity of voices within the encampment rather than a monolithic mob, a theme often used by other reporters.
The article also provides a lot of background information for readers about BDS and why students are pushing for an academic boycott on campus, which provides important context for the reason the encampment was set up in the first place.
Additionally, Ms. Rollmann provides vital context on the police crackdowns on university encampments across the country highlighting the disproportionality and unfairness of police response.
Ms. Rollmann informs readers by the use of accurate facts through precise language and terms such as “genocide’ in Gaza and “violently suppress” in the context of the actions by the police when attacking the encampments at University of Calgary and University of Alberta.
Thank you again for a well-researched and informative journalism report. Please continue to write articles that offer a range of perspectives and that fairly report on the goals of academic boycott, divestment and sanctions by the student protesters.
Sincerely,
Anthony Issa
Media Analyst
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East