The Trent Central Student Association and Allan Fabrykant, Vice President of Student Health & Wellness, wish to make the following joint statement:
As many of you are aware, on August 9, 2020, Mr. Fabrykant posted a link on a message board that commemorated the sixth anniversary of the death of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black teenager who was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri. The content of the post consisted of a link to a Department of Justice report concerning the investigation into the shooting by officer Darren Wilson. The report, while not exonerating Officer Wilson, concluded that the matter lacked prosecutive merit against the officer.
The context in which the post was made, and follow-up comments by Mr. Fabrykant, caused many of our members to become upset, viewing Mr. Fabrykant’s post as being insensitive. Mr. Fabrykant and the executive acknowledge that the content of the post was insensitive given the context of the message board and the current cultural and political environment. Mr. Fabrykant apologizes unreservedly for the post and the impact it has had on members of the organization and the TCSA.
The executive acknowledges that Mr. Fabrykant appreciates the impact the post has had while understanding that Mr. Fabrykant did not intend to inflame tensions. In addition to the concerns over the content of Mr. Fabrykant’s post, the executive also received encouraging communication from some members of the BIPOC community that they believe that resolving this situation in the correct manner presents an opportunity for reflection, education and growth. The executive acknowledges Mr. Fabrykant’s apology. Mr. Fabrykant and the executive stand with their fellow members of the TCSA against racial injustices against Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. As a member of the board and executive, Mr. Fabrykant recognizes that his position requires him to act in the best interests of the Association. Given the distraction that his continued presence on the board may represent, Mr. Fabrykant has decided to resign from the board and executive of the TCSA.
The TCSA executive has also learned from this experience. As part of the Association’s commitment to transparency, an emergency board of directors meeting following the incident was held in public. Over 125 people attended the meeting (virtually). While the executive recognizes the legitimate concern of its members, it also recognizes that meetings considering the conduct of any member or officer must be conducted in a respectful and dignified manner. Mr. Fabrykant believes that some of the comments made by members at this meeting had antisemitic connotations. The TCSA acknowledges that some of the comments from people making representations at the meeting crossed the lines into personal attacks on Mr. Fabrykant. Future meetings will be controlled in a manner that respects everyone’s dignity as the TCSA is fully committed to fostering an environment wherein our members can pursue academic excellence as well as personal and social growth free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, oppression and persecution.
The executive of the Trent Central Students Association continues to be an organization that supports its membership’s concerns. The executive called a meeting at the request of the Membership to consider whether Mr. Fabrykant should continue in his position as Vice President Student Health Wellness. All our directors and executive members hold their positions at the pleasure of the membership. The members can vote to remove any director and/or officer of our organization. As Mr. Fabrykant has resigned effective immediately, the scheduled meeting (for this Sunday, September 6, 2020) will be cancelled.
Signed:
Allan Fabrykant
Ann-Majella McKelvie,
President of Trent Central Student Association