I ended Tuesday March 23rd, 2010, being guided by police tactical officers because I was in danger.

I was told I was in danger because the University of Ottawa could not provide a safe location for people to hear controversial conservative American satirist Ann Coulter.  The occasion was an International Free Press Society’s sponsored event which was also due to feature Ezra Levant and Bjorn Larsen.  On hearing that Ann Coulter was to be a part of the event, University Vice-President Academic and Provost, Francois Houle pretentiously wrote Coulter what is apparently an unprecedented letter mentioning (threatening?) the possibility of legal action if Coulter’s satire should get out of bounds.  This bigoted anti-conservative action (the letter specifically identifies that ‘University of Ottawa Campus Conservatives‘ were responsible for inviting her) along with the student council’s wild attempt at censorship, factored in restricting our freedom to safely hear and evaluate her opinions for ourselves.  It seems to me a reasonable conclusion that the tacit implication that conservatives are more likely to be in violation of Canadian law than are other groups results in the characterization of conservatives as potential criminals.  That kind of defamation could be understood to fit causatively into the larger picture of a mob of students, so emotionally riled by bigoted events in the university community through the preceding days, that they presented a risk of violence.  The blatant hypocrisy of those who would stand behind a letter ostensibly calling for civility and respect, while nurturing an environment so dangerous that it was considered unsafe for a visiting speaker and attendees, thoroughly undermines the university community’s credibility.  If we hadn’t been in danger, and it wasn’t so pathetic, the irony of those pointing an accusing finger demanding restraint while simultaneously throwing their own fits, shout downs, and threats would have been almost humorous.   But we were in enough danger that we were told by security not to leave by the front doors.

There is simply no way to overstate what appears to be a ridiculous level of irresponsibility among the leadership at the University of Ottawa.  But what can be done?  What kind of accountability is there for elitists like these?  Even if anti-conservative diatribe and behaviour in advance of the event contributed to a dangerous situation for guests at the University of Ottawa, who protects us?  It is absolutely unacceptable for taxpayer supported institutions not only to advocate for one kind of political or social perspective over another, but to do so to such an extent that people’s safety is in question.  I wonder if public funding for the University of Ottawa could be cut?  Is there ground for legal action?

I mean, how safe will conservative or libertarian students feel over the next few days at the University of Ottawa?  Their own institution has apparently openly taken a position against them because of their beliefs and values.  Will libertarian students attend classes where discussions around Coulter’s canceled visit will be inevitable, or will they stay home because that’s safer?  Will conservative students feel safe to express their views freely, or will they keep their mouths shut because the University of Ottawa has ceased to be a safe place for conservatives or free speech advocates?  Is that perhaps the real agenda of institutions like the University of Ottawa?  Is the idea that conservatives and libertarians should be intimidated and threatened and subjected to potential violence in order to keep them quiet or else drive them off campus?

If the university is genuinely motivated by a passion for civility, and is sincerely desirous of maintaining an environment where people enjoy an atmosphere of respect, then aggressive action to care for conservative and libertarian students needs to be taken immediately.  At the least, after a formal apology from the university’s administration and full financial restitution which would enable another event with Ann, Ezra & Bjorn to take place safely in Ottawa, the student council should be reprimanded and forced to offer public apologies to students who are at risk on campus because of the council’s anti-conservative politicized activities.

I understand Ann Coulter is looking into whether the university has violated her rights or subjected her to a hate crime by targeting her as a conservative American Christian, and I look forward to seeing what legal opinions she receives in the days to come.  However, more than for Ann, I felt significantly dismayed at the consequent treatment of Ezra Levant and Bjorn Larsen.  These gentlemen and others who advocate for freedom of speech and the rights of individuals to function responsibly without interference by the state are deserving of our respect, admiration and support.  For their role to be so trivialized and for such heroes and friends of our God given liberty to be subjected to this kind of utter disrespect disgraces all of us.

So let me thank the International Free Press Society for their work, and let me express again my admiration and appreciation for Ezra Levant and his willingness to step into the legal fight for the freedoms we should all enjoy.  Please try again.

And to Ann Coulter:  I should have liked to hear you speak.  I regret that this was your experience in Ottawa.  And I certainly hope to see you return.