We live in unprecedented times. As we continue our education in the university system, it is impossible not to notice the rising tide of ethnonationalism, fascism, colonialism, xenophobia, white supremacy, radical misogyny, and anti-2SLGBTQIA+ ideologies. For the past two years, we have witnessed Israel’s relentless genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza, a campaign intensified by the IDF’s recent ground invasion of Gaza City, and the detaining of activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla. At the same time, the ideologies of right-wing extremists have entered the mainstream, seizing control of online political content and attracting thousands to rallies in cities and university campuses across Canada and the United States. This comes at a time when social media makes us witnesses to these atrocities in real time, while simultaneously amplifying the ideologies driving them. Moreover, institutions meant to serve as forums for free speech and dialogue intensify their suppression of protest and outcry, as demonstrated by  McGill’s recent court filings to subdue on-campus demonstrations. True, hateful sentiments, extremist ideology, and genocide are not new in the annals of history, but never has the world been as it is now. Never before have we been caught in the intersection of these forces. 

In the face of rampant oppression, we must ask ourselves what we ought to do. Who are ‘we’ and what, precisely, can we do? As tuition-paying undergraduate students, we are all members of the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU), our student union, as well as our faculty-specific student societies. These associations represent our interests to the McGill administration, both at the undergraduate and wider-university level. Students, then, are a collective. As a collective, we have the power to shape and influence on-campus culture, decisions, and activities. But only if we share a commitment to change. —

Kit Carlton, U3 Arts, emphasized that compassion is key in acts of protest.

“Solidarity, to me, is about standing with your fellow man—people, who, even if you don’t have the same experiences, showing empathy for [them] and standing for them when maybe they can’t stand up for themselves.” 

In April 2025, hundreds of students passed a motion for SSMU to enact a student strike in protest of McGill’s investment in companies complicit in Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, leading to a historic three-day demonstration which drew conflict between students and the university administration. This culminated in McGill’s attempt to terminate its Memorandum of Agreement with SSMU, as well as criticisms of both parties involved. Such a drastic measure from the administration exemplifies our power as a collective. When we act together in solidarity, we have an undeniable impact. 

Acting as a unified body is especially imperative to help protect our fellow students who are most vulnerable right now. Students on campus have faced violence and intimidation from increased security presence for their activism. 

“​​My friend [was] tear-gassed protesting for Gaza last October 7th,” said a student protester who wished to remain anonymous. 

Another student, who preferred to remain anonymous, added, “A lot of Indigenous students, Palestinian students, and Arab students don’t feel safe on campus right now. They don’t feel like campus represents their interests or their lives, even, and they feel threatened by the policies that are being enacted by McGill, so it’s important to stand in solidarity with them, especially.”

The forces we are up against are great, but together, we are not small. When we bear witness to hate, oppression, and systematic cruelty to any vulnerable group, we must act together. We must take every opportunity we can to make our voices heard, to cry out that these are transgressions against human rights that we will never tolerate. Not now, not later, not ever. This is the meaning of solidarity. It does not matter how hard bad-faith actors try to tear us down. When we are united in good faith, we shine brighter than the darkest forces and stand taller than the highest mountains.