Students have always been the heartbeat of social and political movements, using their voices to tackle injustices. From civil rights to environmental issues, student activism has been a driving force in shaping reform and revolution.
In 1985, McGill became the first Canadian university to divest from businesses with connections to South Africa during apartheid. This monumental decision was the result of persistent pressure from student groups and movements on campus, highlighting the power of student voices and the ethical responsibilities of educational institutions. McGill’s action encouraged other universities in the region to follow suit.
In 2006, McGill was the first university to divest from enterprises tied to Burma (Myanmar) in response to the country’s political situation and violations of human rights. The Burma Solidarity Collective responded to injustices against the Burmese people by campaigning for four years to prevent money from going to Burma’s military rulers. Their efforts paid off: Over 1,500 students and 100 tenured faculty members signed petitions supporting the divestment, which were presented to the Board of Governors.
More recently, in 2023, the McGill Board of Governors voted to divest from all direct holdings in fossil fuel companies listed in the Carbon Underground 200 (CU200), with implementation set to begin in 2024 and complete by 2025. Divest McGill, an environmental justice campaign advocating since 2012, played a key role in urging the university to confront the climate crisis by withdrawing its investments from the fossil fuel industry. This milestone was achieved through relentless student mobilization, including a 12-day occupation of the McCall MacBain Arts Building in 2022.
Beyond these victories, students have been active in various other movements, notably through the demand for justice for Palestine, and standing in solidarity with the Kanien’kehá:ka Kahnistensera (Mohawk Mothers)’ call to investigate potential unmarked graves on McGill’s New Vic Project, located at the former Royal Victoria Hospital site.
Those occurrences are inspiring and show that student activism can trigger real change, but for someone who has never really taken part in activism in general, it may be hard to know where to start. There is no need to pressure yourself to become the next Greta Thunberg.
The best way to start is by educating yourself on key issues. Knowledge is power, and reading news articles and staying informed daily is a central part of being an activist—being informed about an issue is a constant process, not a one-time investment.
Once you feel like you have your footing, you can show solidarity by joining marches, protests, sit-ins and walk-outs. Following student activist groups on social media is a good way to stay updated on events and initiatives. Make sure to stay safe and know your rights before taking part in public demonstrations.
You can also make an impact by sending letters or emails to those in power, signing petitions, or raising awareness online. Sharing posts about what you’re fighting for can call attention and motivate others to research the cause you support. However, your involvement should not be limited to that. For example, if you’re artistically inclined, create art related to the cause you’re advocating for. Graffiti, songs, poems, and drawings can be powerful tools to spark change and get people to reflect on your message. Though these actions may seem small individually, if students collectively mobilize and remain persistent, our campus’ history demonstrates that they can spark revolutionary change over time. It’s easy to feel discouraged in activism, especially when results aren’t immediate. Advocating for change can often be frustrating, taxing, and slow. Fighting for your rights and those of others sadly isn’t always automatic or straightforward. While that can be disheartening, it shows the importance of staying committed to what you believe in.
