Title: Controversy Erupts Over Cannon Painting at University of Guelph

On October 7, Jewish students at the University of Guelph faced a controversial incident linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The university's traditional cannon, known as Old Jeremiah, was painted in the colors of the Palestinian flag, coinciding with the two-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people on the Israel-Gaza border. This act has drawn significant criticism and raised concerns about insensitivity on campus.

Retired Canadian Army officer Mark Bossi expressed his outrage over the incident. "Speaking as a loyal Canadian who served in the Canadian Army for 40 years, wearing the Canadian flag proudly on my uniform especially overseas, I am furious that foreign hatred has been imported into Canada," he said. "That isn’t my concept of what Canada stands for. I’m simply outraged that they did this on October 7th."

The cannon painting is typically a lighthearted tradition associated with school spirit and often coincides with Guelph Gryphons sporting events. However, this particular instance was viewed as a deliberate political statement, especially with the word "Palestine" scrawled on the cannon.

In response to the incident, the university acted quickly. Danny Williamson, a spokesperson for the university, stated that the Campus Safety Office was notified early on October 7 about the cannon's new paint job. After reviewing the situation, the university determined that some elements of the painting violated community guidelines and subsequently painted over them in gold.

Williamson emphasized that while the University of Guelph has a long-standing tradition of students painting the cannon, it reserves the right to intervene if messages or images are deemed harmful or contrary to community standards.

Following the university's intervention, the cannon has reportedly been repainted multiple times with more neutral themes, returning to its traditional role as a symbol of school spirit rather than a political statement. The incident has sparked discussions about the intersection of campus traditions and current global events, highlighting the complexities of expressing political views in a university setting.