B’nai Brith to seek intervener status

As acts of harassment and intimidation against students ensue

Montreal, December 30, 2002

For Immediate Release

Montreal, December 30^th, 2002… B’nai Brith Canada announced today that it will be seeking leave to intervene in a lawsuit filed in Superior Court by Jewish students at Concordia against the Concordia Student Union and the University. Me. Allan Adel, Quebec Chair of B’nai Brith’s League for Human Rights, stated that “the application for leave to intervene is consistent with the organization’s mandate and role as a leader in human rights”. Adel added, “We also want to stand together with the silent majority of students who want a better quality of life on campus, who want to be free from intimidation and harassment.”

Me. Steven Slimovitch, National Legal Counsel for B’nai Brith, asserted that “as we enter the New Year, B’nai Brith will continue to unveil legal and/or legislative strategies against the abuse of student unions or associations on campuses so that the rights of students across the province and the country will be protected”. In addition, B’nai Brith Canada has extended its Campus Support Desk to provide ongoing support to students and avail them of research resources and office space for human rights advocacy.

B’nai Brith Canada has been recognized by the Courts as one of the country’s foremost experts on issues relating to antisemitism, racism, extremism, hate and bigotry, and has previously been granted intervener status in many leading human rights cases.

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For further information:
Me. Allan Adel, Quebec Chair for the League for Human Rights - (514) 845-4151
Me. Steven Slimovitch, National Legal Counsel - (514) 871-8971

B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s foremost advocacy and volunteer organization.