World-renowned Canadian doctor says New York University canceled her speech due to “anti-government”
A world-renowned Canadian doctor said her speech at New York University (NYU) was canceled for “anti-government.”
McGill, an associate professor at the University of Montreal, and Dr. Joanne Liu, a pediatric emergency medicine physician, previously headed the Sans Frontières (Medals Without Borders), told Global News that she was shocked after being shocked last week in Nyu’s plan.
She said her speech will discuss humanitarian aid during times of crisis and the challenges faced by workers in Gaza and other war zones.
Her speech will also address the recent cuts to foreign aid by the President’s administration, particularly the United States Agency for International Development.
“[I was told] Those discussing the U.S. International Development cuts may be considered an anti-government narrative,” Liu told Global in an interview Friday. She added that her alma mater, NYU, also said her speech risks were seen as anti-Semitism.
Liu's speech is scheduled to continue on March 19.
She said the vice-chairman expressed concerns about some of her slides that cite aid workers databases that show the number of humanitarian casualties in Gaza in 2024 and the recent massive cuts to the U.S. Foreign Foreign Aid and Development Assistance Agency USAID. Liu said she was told both topics could be considered anti-Semitism and anti-government risks.
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She proposed adjustments, but NYU chose to cancel the event altogether.
Global News commented to NYU, but no response.
This is among the reasons why the Trump administration has recently cut grants from American universities, and Liu said she believes New York University is afraid of suffering the same fate. She added that this reflects the atmosphere of fear currently living in the United States.
The Trump administration recently reaped $400 million in federal funds from Columbia University after accusing the institution of failing to protect students from “anti-Semitic harassment.” The university has since restored funding after agreeing to a series of requirements, including placing the Eastern Research Department under academic supervision.
“About a year ago, I was invited to give a scientific speech in the Department of Emergency Medicine at NYU,” wrote in an article published Thursday in the French language newspaper Le Devoir in Montreal.
“Elite universities are at the crossroads of presidential layoffs,” Liu continued. “I sympathize with those who feel unsafe on campus. I also sympathize with university administrators who try to retain funds, ultimately work, work, research and teaching.”
Academic freedom is currently vulnerable in the United States, she added.
Establishing a deteriorating relationship with the United States
This is the latest news in Canadians’ latest advancement, saying they avoided all trips to the south of the border.
Iran-Canadian political science professor at Arash Abizadeh of McGill University told Global that he canceled three upcoming academic trips to the United States.
He explained that while he was upset by Trump's recent opposition to Canadian sovereignty, he was primarily concerned about the safety of foreigners on American land.
He cited the incident in early March when French scientists cited the incident Immigration officials at Houston Airport searched his phone and found text messages criticizing the president, who were denied entry into the country after they said “can be considered terrorism.”
“Who wants to put himself in a position where he can be detained at will?” Abizad said, speaking of his silence entering the United States
Daniel Jutras, president of the University of Montreal, a lawyer and scholar specializing in civil and comparative law, told the global current political climate that worries him.
He said the university has issued memos to the entire community warning people if they enter the U.S. and reminds its students and employees to announce their trip to the university.
“[There’s quite] Over the past few decades, we have experienced a distance in very close interactions with several research organizations and great universities there. ” he said.
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