Media Advisory - York University administration implicated in anti-Black racism cover-up

Black professor facing termination for speaking out against racism to detail allegations at press conference

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TORONTO, April 7, 2021 /CNW/ - A Black professor is facing termination by York University President Rhonda Lenton in response to public criticism he made about anti-Black racism at the institution. Prof. Aimé Avolonto, a tenured Associate Professor in French Studies at York's Glendon College, will reveal at a press conference on Thursday detailed allegations against university administrators, including President Lenton. Prof. Avolonto's allegations include acts of race-based harassment, discrimination, and retaliation over a five-year period.

Prof. Avolonto first raised concerns about anti-Black racism in 2016 and has spoken publicly about his experience: for example, during meetings of York's Senate and in a recent broadcast of The Fifth Estate (click here for video), which exposed systemic anti-Black racism at three Canadian campuses. In a recent letter to Prof. Avolonto, President Lenton cited a Senate speech he gave in 2017 and his recent media engagements (see here and here) among her reasons to initiate termination proceedings against him.

WHAT: Media conference regarding allegations of anti-Black racism at York University

WHEN: Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 10:00 AM EDT

WHERE: Register here to participate on Zoom: https://bit.ly/2PWahkt (members of the public are welcome to watch the press conference)

WHO: Prof. Aimé Avolonto; Ron Franklin, legal counsel to Prof. Avolonto; and a number of representatives of student, labour, and anti-racist organizations

During the press conference, Prof. Avolonto will release a 50-page document that provides an overview of his allegations, a chronology of racist incidents from 2016 to 2021, and a list of supporting evidence.

Register here to participate on Zoom: https://bit.ly/2PWahkt (members of the public are welcome to watch the press conference)

SOURCE Canadian Federation of Students

Krisna Saravanamuttu, Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]