November 25, 2022

Content Warning/Trigger Warning: Racism, Anti Black Lingo, Anti Asian Lingo.

Support resources are provided at the bottom of this page. 

Dear Wednesday’s Council Meeting Attendees,

We would like to address the “zoom bomb” incident that occurred at the beginning of the Council meeting yesterday. However, we would like to preface this with a trigger warning regarding racist, anti-Black, and anti-Asian violence. 

We want to acknowledge how unacceptable, harmful and/or traumatizing the incident that occurred within Council yesterday where a person had zoom bombed the meeting and expressed racist and anti-Black, anti-Asian sentiments. We do not stand by these sentiments and fully condemn this behaviour. As a society that understands its responsibility to serve as representatives of the student body, and that prides itself on community, inclusion and empowerment, council meetings and SFSS spaces are no place for this kind of rhetoric and behaviour displayed. We are taking this seriously while examining different options to ensure that our meetings are secure, safe and accessible to our members.

We hope that Simon Fraser University (SFU) treats the constant online harassment of racialized students seriously through investigation and taking disciplinary measures, including suspending and expelling individuals who breach the student racial harassment policies. 

Furthermore, we understand how heavy this is for many Black members and staff in attendance and so we have ensured health and counselling services will be provided to further support in this time. These resources are listed below and if anyone within the meeting would like to further discuss with an executive, please feel free to reach out.

 
We hope you folks are able to take care of yourselves this time. 

In Solidarity,

SFSS Executive Committee

Resources:

SFSS Supports:

• In-person support sessions with SFSS VP Equity and Sustainability, Sunghyun Choi (she/her/hers)
  • Monday & Tuesday at the SUB (Room 4121): 9am to 5:30pm
  • vpequity@sfss.ca 
• SOCA Black Student Support Centre Resources: https://www.sfusoca.ca/resources.html
• Specific Resources for Equity Groups: https://sfss.ca/specific-resources-for-equity-groups/

Internal SFU Supports: 

• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): the SFU Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provides confidential, professional assistance to help SFU employees and their family members resolve problems that affect your personal and work lives
• Sexual Violence Support and Prevention Office: A diverse range of supports are available for campus community members including students, staff and faculty who are impacted by sexual violence
• Critical Incident Support: A Critical Incident (or Significant Event) is normally a traumatic event that creates a strong emotional reaction. This reaction may interfere with an individual’s ability to manage normal day-to-day activities or have a large negative impact on the people involved or community members that have in some way been involved. Learn about the supports available.
• The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion has compiled a list of support and awareness resources on anti-Asian racism, including culturally appropriate mental health supports and organizations that are spreading awareness about anti-Asian racism in Canada
• The Human Resources Student Association of BC has compiled a website with anti-Asian racism resources, including further information on the history of anti-Asian racism in Canada, reporting lines and organizations to support.

Off Campus Resources: