This article includes descriptions of antisemitism and may be triggering for some readers. The Peer Support Centre offers drop-in services and empathetic peer-based support and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Attendees of a party near Queen’s campus reportedly dressed as Hamas militants and made threats towards the Jewish community last weekend.
On Oct. 27, one person allegedly attended the party in possession of a knife. Kingston Police didn’t find evidence to support the claim there was a weapon involved or evidence the alleged threats targeted a specific group.
“The investigation has not established any direct evidence that would support charges of threats being made to any particular group and it has not been verified that anyone was in possession of or threatened anyone with a weapon,” the Kingston Police said in a statement issued on Oct. 31.
Since being called to the scene, the police have interviewed party attendees and the party hosts to investigate the situation. No charges have been brought forth.
“Kingston Police understands the sensitive nature of current conflicts that are occurring globally and the related heightened sense of awareness that this may bring about publicly,” Kingston Police said in a statement to The Journal.
Queen’s University opened a non-academic misconduct investigation into the incident, Global News reported.
The incident has drawn national attention, with CBC News, Global News, and The Toronto Star reporting on the incident.
Queen’s Hillel, a Jewish organization on campus, released a statement on Oct. 29 affirming their commitment to affected students and the Queen’s Jewish community.
“We understand the gravity of this situation, especially in light of the distressing details that have been circulating in our community,” Hillel said in a statement released on Instagram. “We are actively engaged with the students involved and are working closely with them to ensure that the appropriate authorities are thoroughly investigating the matter.”
Tags
costumes, Halloween party, Kingston Police, threats
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s)-in-Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.
