I don’t care what political beliefs someone holds, but Dr. Ruth Marshall’s recent language and threats are completely unacceptable for anyone—let alone a university professor. Her violent and hateful rhetoric, especially if she is celebrating a political assassination just south of our border, demonstrates a profound lack of professionalism and moral judgment. This man was gunned down while exercising his freedom of speech. While he was controversial, he welcomed open dialogue and debate on university grounds all over, these spaces meant for the exchange and clash of ideas that underpin any democracy. Unfortunately, these spaces have been co-opted by individuals on the far left. As someone who voted Liberal until the recent election, people like her are the reason I changed my stance along with a variety of other reasons. But this disgusted me and shook me to my very core to see how many people like her have been celebrating the death of a man who was a husband and a father. His two children are now deprived of a father figure because of the radicalized individual who pulled the trigger. Those who now preach "liberal values" seem so far removed from their true meaning. Having anyone killed for trying to engage in open debate is a direct attack on free speech itself, undermining the very principles that universities—and democracies—are supposed to uphold.
While we have free speech, it is not absolute. Freedom of expression comes with responsibilities, and there must be accountability when speech crosses the line into violent threats or incitement. Dr. Marshall’s conduct undermines the values of higher education, academic integrity, and the very foundations of democracy. The University of Toronto must take immediate action to investigate and remove her from her position to protect the institution’s reputation and the safety of its community from individuals who hold the same extremist views—regardless of political affiliation.