Protesters dressed in black for a mock funeral on Monday to symbolize the death of social justice at the University of Windsor.
The university's administration has determined that the Centre for Studies in Social Justice will close on July 1.
Community members organized a rally at Fanchette Street and Sunset Avenue in front of the administrative offices in Chrysler Tower. Organizers hope to save the centre.
"I am passionate about the centre because it does the important work of bridging the worlds of academia and activism; promotes education, action and advocacy; and enriches our communities through public engagement," says rally organizer Frances Cachon, a PhD candidate at the U of W.
Cachon says the community’s support has been inspiring, a true mirror of the centre's importance and the commitment to social justice of many.
The centre develops public forums on themes such as the environment, food security, citizenship and democracy, social movements, and human rights.
An online petition has gained over 1,100 signatures in a week and organizers say letters of support continue to roll in.
Cachon says it is perplexing that the administration has deemed the centre to be of no value.
"The Centre is committed to actualizing the University's responsibility as a public institution," says Cachon. "Its intrinsic value is simply too great to be lost."
It was founded in 2002.
