Students and professors joined U of M alumnus Rachad Antonius on Jan. 22 for a lecture on Palestinian activism
and history. The lecture allowed attendees to dive into the history of Palestine and the different systems that have
enabled displacement and ethnic cleansing.
Antonius discussed themes of Islamophobia and anti-Arab rhetorics in political discourse, including cartoons
such as Aladdin and other forms of media. Antonius had previously helped publish a dossier of writings, art and
poetry on Palestine in the Manitoban during his studies at the U of M in 1972. The original physical dossier from the
archives was available at the event to guide his lecture and for people to read.
Robert Johannson, an attendee of the event, thought it was wonderful. “It was really interesting to get to hear from
a past activist in favour of Palestinian rights and the Palestinian struggle.”
Johannson believes that passing accumulated knowledge is important, as campus activism history gets replaced
by new generations and it becomes difficult to learn from past lessons, even though different generations are
fighting the same struggle.
Antonius was involved in campus activism in 1972, a time where Palestinian activism was not common and could
result in much more backlash than in today’s time. However, the dossier that Antonius helped publish with other
students and faculty members still acts as a way for current activists to feel connected and motivated to the longterm cause.
Johannson is also the executive of advocacy for Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and, to him, attending such
events is enlightening. He explained, “Things are not as bad as they used to be.” In 1972, Antonius’s dossier
sparked little reaction regarding policy changes, but “the movement can no longer be ignored” in 2025. Johansson
explained how this is partly because of the mobilization of students in favour of policy, and the “real atrocious
actions of Israel during the genocide.” Johannson emphasized that activism for Palestine is not a new thing, and it
is not just a trend. It is something that has a long history.
“As a member of SJP, we stand on the shoulders of giants, and Rachad Antonius is one of them,” Johansson said.
“This is a long, long protracted struggle that will go on until liberation.”
