Pig head mounted on UBC fence an act of antisemitism, Jewish group says
The severed head was discovered on Tuesday, in front of what appears to be UBC President Benoit-Antoine Bacon’s home.
Police are investigating an incident at the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Point Grey campus after a pig’s head was mounted on a gate earlier this week.
The severed head was found on Tuesday in front of what is believed to be the residence of UBC President Benoit-Antoine Bacon. It was accompanied by a sign reading, "pigs off campus."
A pro-Palestinian student group appeared to claim responsibility in a social media post, stating the act was a protest against police violence towards Black, Indigenous, and marginalized communities, and a call for the removal of police from campus.
"Let it be clear, as we begin this new academic year, we remain steadfast in our commitment to hold UBC accountable for its ongoing genocide," the group, People’s University UBC, said in an Instagram post. “UBC will not know peace until we get Palestine back, piece by piece.”
Jewish advocates condemned the incident, describing it as an act of antisemitism.
“A pig’s head, and references to pigs and swine, are often used in antisemitic tropes, and having this happen at the start of the school year has left students feeling further ostracized,” said Richard Robertson, spokesperson for B’nai Brith. “It’s clear this was intended to intimidate both the police and supporters of Israel.”
Robertson noted an increase in antisemitism on Canadian university campuses, including UBC, over the past year. He added that many students were already anxious about returning to school, and called the incident an "ominous indicator" of tensions continuing from the previous academic year.
Global News reached out to UBC President Bacon for comment, but the university issued a statement instead, affirming that hate and discrimination will not be tolerated. However, they declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation.
In April, the same student group allegedly responsible for the pig’s head protest set up a large pro-Palestinian encampment at UBC’s Point Grey campus, demanding the school sever ties with Israeli organizations. That encampment remained for over two months before being voluntarily dismantled.
