Statement on assault of AGSEM member on Dec 11, 2024:

On Dec 11, 2024, an armed security agent assaulted and detained an AGSEM member and worker in the McConnell Engineering building.  When this member saw an armed security agent, she took a photo. In response, the security agent put his hand to his gun, grabbed her arm, and held her against the wall. He attempted to question her and said that he would break her camera while refusing to identify himself or tell her what she was accused of. When McGill security supervisors arrived, they forcibly prevented her from leaving. They surrounded her and told her she was being arrested; however, after 45 minutes, police arrived to say she had not broken any laws and was free to go.

This is unacceptable. The assault of a student shows the hypocrisy of President Saini’s purported goals of a campus climate where “each of us feels welcomed, celebrated, recognized, uplifted, and capable of sharing our views without fear of retribution”. All of us at McGill deserve to be safe during our work.

As it stands, the only accountability for security is an internal complaint page. But their antagonism towards the student community is at a breaking point, and we cannot rely on security to self-police. Non-administrators need to be stakeholders in a new system of external oversight.

There are also ways we can look out for each other on an individual level. Bystanders on Wednesday prevented worse abuse of the staff member. Their presence provided accountability. If you see someone assaulted, detained, or otherwise abused by security services, you should immediately film or audio record. This evidence can help file complaints with McGill or in court. Finally, if you see security harassing someone, speak up if you can! Let’s all protect each other.