Flanagan calls for assassination of Assange

By Brent Constantin

University of Calgary political science professor Tom Flanagan upset many when he called for the assassination of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during CBC’s Power & Politics on Nov. 30

“Well, I think Assange should be assassinated actually,” Flanagan said to CBC host Evan Solomon. “I think Obama should put out a contract and maybe use a drone, or something.”

A Facebook group calling for the U of C to distance itself from the remarks had reached 119 supporters as of print time.

U of C spokesperson Grady Semmens said the views expressed by Flanagan were his own and not representative of the views of the school.

“Professors are generally entitled to express their opinions like anyone else under Canadian law,” said Semmens. “When it comes to the university itself, behaviors that can be deemed harmful to the reputation of the university can be grounds for disciplinary action but in this case there has no decision that has been made either way.”

Semmens said faculty of arts dean Kevin McQuillan is responsible for assigning someone to look into the matter, if action is deemed necessary.

Flanagan has since apologized.

“I regret that I made a glib comment about a serious issue,” Flanagan told CBC news.

Community members looking to comment on Flanagan’s remarks are encouraged to send messages to the U of C general communications e-mail address at uofcnews@ucalgary.ca said Semmens.

Flanagan was unavailable for comment.

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