In a recent issue of the Kabayan Connections,  a publication of the MB Filipino Business Council sent out on  January 30, 2024 e there was a promo for an  Asians for Palestine event, where  "Asian, Indigenous, Black and other racialized community members” were invited by "Prairie Asian Organizers" to have a free lunch at 11 a.m on  Saturday Feb 3, 2024, provided by  the "UM Humanities Institute." The free lunch was at Sam Po Dim Sum Restaurant where there was a peer learning circle for Palestine, and then after lunch attendees were expected to join the rally for Palestine, at City Hall organized by the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba. Attendees were given explicit instructions of what to wear and who to speak to. Dr. Hee-Jung Serenity Joo is the Director of the Institute for Humanities, which is part of the U of M's Faculty of Arts. Dr. Serenity Joo is the same professor who moderated the recent Faculty4Palestine event, a purported academic event, where she said only questions in support of Palestine would be answered. The U of M Institute of Humanities is not its own legal entity but is a part of the U of M, and as such this became a U of M event.

On Feb 13, 2024, The Winnipeg Jewish Review sent U  of M President Michael Benarroch several questions asking for him to be the one to specifically respond. Several of these questions were:

1.     Since the U of M has just sponsored a free lunch as part of a  Palestinian political rally, will the U of M now be prepared to sponsor a free lunch as part of a political rally by pro-Israel members of the Jewish/Zionist community ? Since the U of M has paid for lunch for protestors on one side of a conflict in the Middle East, surely the U of M ought to sponsor lunch for the other side?

2.     Since Israel is part of Asia, and Israelis are Asians, is it not fair for  the U of M Institute for Humanities or the  U of M administration to sponsor lunch for Israelis in Wpg who wish to have a pro-Israel political rally of  City Hall or elsewhere ?

3.      Does the U of M believe that sponsoring lunch as part of a concerted effort to get more people out to a pro-Palestinian rally is an appropriate use of its funds, since it is a publicly funded university?

4.     Will the U of M please explain to the Jewish/Zionist community why it allowed such a thing to happen?

Eleanor Coopscammy, Director, Media Relations and Issues Management responded that “ The event you referenced falls under the Institute for the Humanities’ mandate of community outreach, and the institute’s leadership has the ability to identify activities for the institute’s participation.[emphasis added]” [Editor’s note: If you are a donor to  U of M, or a potential donor, you now know that your  donation can be used to help fund free lunches to augment numbers at pro-Palestinian rallies]

After receiving this response, on Feb 27, 2024 the Winnipeg Jewish Review asked Coopsammy, “Does community outreach mean that the director of a different program at  U of M can use U of M money to fund a lunch for a pro-Israel rally?” More than ten days later, Coopsammy had not responded.

The Winnipeg Jewish Review also asked “ Why did the U of M involve itself in an event that suggests "Wearing a face mask and plain clothes is useful if you want to increase anonymity," or suggests wearing kaffiyehs? There was  no direct  answer to this question [Editor's Note: Wearing a face mask insulates a person from detection of law enforcement if that person says or does something unlawful. One would  have thought that the U of M Institute for Humanities would be encouraging rational, transparent, and open intellectual discourse rather than encouraging the opposite through the use of facemasks, which disguises and prevents accountability for anything a protestor says or does] 

The Winnipeg Jewish Review also asked, “How many lunches did the U of M Institute for Humanities pay for?, There was no response to this question.

The Winnipeg Jewish Review also asked, “Since Jews are not "white," and thus are racialized, why was the Jewish and Israeli community not notified of this event?” There was no answer to this question.

The Winnipeg Jewish Review also asked, “Since the U of M Humanities Institute is interested in involving itself in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, why has it not spoken out against the hostage taking by Hamas of  innocent Asian Thai workers on Oct 7. Further since Israelis are Asian why has the U of M Humanities Institute not condemned the actions of Hamas, a genocidal terror group who are still holding captive innocent Israeli civilians, including woman and children, and calling for their unconditional release? Why has it not spoken out against Hamas's statements indicating it will commit more attacks like it did on Oct 7 against Israelis again and again?   

In her answer to the questions by the Winnipeg Jewish Review, Coopscammy responded that “UM, like many other universities across the country, is facing questions around academic freedom and freedom of expression on campus, and how it applies to faculty, staff and students.

UM values freedom of expression and adheres to a clear policy on academic freedom, which is enshrined in the university’s governing documents, including our Academic Freedom and Responsibilities Policy and the Collective Agreement between the university and the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA). Faculty engaged in teaching, research, and dissemination of knowledge, are entitled to freedom in discussing their subjects and freedom from institutional censorship, penalties, and reprisals. We do not speak on their behalf, nor do they speak on behalf of UM.”

The Winnipeg Jewish Review also asked: In the promo for the event, attendees were told to "Avoid speaking to fringe media groups who spread disinformation."  Does the U of M believe it is appropriate for the U of M Institute for Humanities to be part of an event that is telling people who in the media they ought to speak to? 

Coopsammy noted that: “UM has repeatedly spoken out against antisemitism and taken numerous steps to support a safe campus environment for all community members. We have offered additional security resources at known student events, and have increased security presence at Jewish and Muslim spaces. We have removed inflammatory or racist posters, strongly denounced the distribution of hateful propaganda on our campuses, and engaged local police as required.

“ UM is committed to addressing issues of antisemitism though a series of discussions, dialogues and resources designed to educate and raise awareness on our campuses. Administrators are also meeting with Jewish, Muslim, Arab or any students concerned about this ongoing situation, either at their request or proactively, to listen to their experiences, offer resources and ensure they are aware of all available supports. 

“We have been clear with the UM community and will continue to message, that in times of conflict, we must have respectful dialogue that doesn’t lose sight of our common humanity. “ 

The full wording of the promo for the Asian for Palestine Event is below:

Prairie Asian Organizers invites Asian, Indigenous, Black, and other racialized community members to join us for lunch and a peer learning circle for Palestine on Saturday, February 3, 11am at Sam Po Dim Sum Restaurant (277 Rupert Ave). Lunch will be generously provided by the UM Institute for Humanities.

After lunch, we'll be joining the 1pm rally for Palestine at City Hall, organized by the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba. There will likely be a march to Portage & Main and a protest in the intersection. The expected end time is 3pm or earlier.

What should I bring?
-Wear layers of warm clothes and good shoes
-Creative, supportive, and colourful signs
-Flags, banners, and keffiyehs
-Faces masks, water, and snacks

Safety Tips
-Plan in advance how you’ll get to the rally and back home.
-Let people know where you’re going and when you’ll be home.
-Travel and attend the rally and march with a buddy or in groups.

-People may take photos video. Wearing a face mask and plain clothes is useful if you want to increase anonymity.

-Leave valuables at home.

Counter-Protesters
-Pro-Israeli counter-protestors may be present
-Maintain a safe distance and do not approach, talk to, or confront them.
-If a counter-protester is provoking you, ignore them, walk away, and inform a safety marshal (wearing hi-vis vests).

Media
-Media may be present at the event.
-Media may capture video or photos of you.
-Legitimate media will have their network clearly displayed and provide ID when asked. Avoid speaking to fringe media groups who spread disinformation.