U of S professors pen open letter on Gormley tweet

John Gormley (ckom.com)

The College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan has written an open letter addressing a tweet made by John Gormley in response to the terror attacks in Paris last month.

The tweet, which has since been deleted, read, “Me: Next guy in a Western democracy who chants ‘Allah Ahkbar’ (sic) we shoot. Wife: Don’t be this way #Angry."

“Allahu akbar” is the Arabic phrase for “God is great.” A representative of the Islamic Association of Saskatchewan told CTV News the phrase is used in prayer and often said more than 20 to 30 times per day.

Gormley has since apologized for the tweet, but many say the apology was inadequate. The apology opened with Gormley calling the tweet “dumb” before turning into a discussion on reactions to the tweet.

Gormley is best known for being a News Talk Radio host, and a Star Phoenix columnist, but he is also an adjunct professor at the College of Law.

“We acknowledge Mr. Gormley’s role as a journalist and as a contributor to our law school program. Nevertheless, we were astounded by Mr. Gormley’s comment and, in the strongest terms, disassociate ourselves with his remarks and the sentiments conveyed in these remarks,” the letter says. “ Law schools, in our opinion, must be unequivocally committed to inclusion, tolerance, and diversity.  That commitment includes respect for people of various racial, and cultural communities and for people from a variety of faith communities.”

The letter is signed by 20 professors or professors emeriti at the college.