The student-led group known as “Enough is Enough” began the protest at Western University on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
Hanna Salamon-Vegh, a fourth-year student and co-organizer of the rally, says many of those who attend the university have had enough and Western should follow provincial guidelines.
“We’re asking Western to listen to us to respect our voices,” says Salamon-Vegh.
Kendra Hancock is a graduate student at the university and also one of the organizers of the rally. He says the orders were harsh on the students.
About 400 people attend a protest at Western University on Aug. 27, 2022. Students and members of the general public are protesting Western’s decision to mandate vaccine and mask orders for COVID-19 this fall. (Jim Knight/CTV News London) “Choice needs to be restored for students,” says Hancock. “We should be able to choose whether to vaccinate or wear a mask.” Western announced last Monday that it is implementing a policy that students, staff and faculty will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have received at least one booster dose and wear masks in teaching areas such as classrooms. On Saturday morning, Western issued a statement ahead of the student-led protest saying it was aware of the incident and respected the students’ right to peacefully protest on campus. “Our fall health and safety plans have one goal in mind: to ensure a healthy community so we can protect interpersonal learning throughout the school year,” the statement said. “We know this decision has generated significant debate – and as a center of higher education we encourage the exchange of different views and ideas, while we value constructive debate.” The university says it will review its COVID-19 policy in part during the fall semester. About 400 people attend a protest at Western University on Aug. 27, 2022. Students and members of the general public are protesting Western’s decision to mandate vaccine and mask orders for COVID-19 this fall. (Jim Knight/CTV News London) In comparison, Fanshawe College London announced earlier this month that it is not enforcing the COVID-19 vaccines or coverage requirements for its students or staff this fall. While the University of Toronto and Trent University require those living in residence to have three doses and two doses respectively, Western is the only post-secondary university in Canada that mandates boosters for all students and staff on campus. After the rally, there was a short march through the campus with people chanting “Enough is enough.” With files from Ashley Hyshka of CTV News London and The Canadian Press
