CMLA’s Statement Regarding The Advocates’ Society’s Decision To Cancel 2025 End-of-Term Dinner

We appreciate The Advocates’ Society’s decision (announced on April 10, 2025) to cancel this year’s End-of-Term dinner. Following the organization’s unjust revocation of Mr. Hadhad’s speaking invitation, the cancellation of this dinner was the responsible course of action. However, it is difficult to congratulate TAS for simply undoing an error of their own making.

The invitation should never have been revoked. Proceeding with the event under such egregious circumstances would have further undermined the core values of equity and justice that the legal community is expected to advance.

Today, TAS commits to taking “concrete actions” as they work towards becoming a more inclusive organization. We look forward to holding them accountable to be more transparent and to challenge bias—especially when that process is uncomfortable. We will continue to make ourselves available as a resource as true inclusion requires more than apologies and reactive damage control. 

This incident also confirms our members’ experience that racialized communities continue to face systemic barriers and double standards, particularly when they speak out on issues of social justice. Those who advocate for Palestinian lives, in particular, are being silenced in ways that others are not.

Institutions cannot claim to stand for justice while punishing those who challenge injustice and the erosion of the rule of law. 

Real inclusion and accountability demand sustained action, not just statements.