Devoney Ellis is a recent graduate and aspiring human rights lawyer from St. John’s, Newfoundland. During their sociology and anthropology degree they focused on learning from decolonial scholars to gain a deeper understanding of systemic oppression. After learning more about the important role of resistance and collective action against global injustice, Devoney felt driven to become more involved in local advocacy efforts. While finishing their undergraduate degree at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador (MUN), Devoney played a key role in establishing the anti-genocide encampment on their campus, and advancing the divestment campaign calling on the MUN administration to divest from Israeli weapons companies. They were moved to join this flotilla after witnessing how universities and Western governments (including Canada) were ignoring their legal obligations to do everything in their power to stop Israel’s genocide, end the illegal blockade on Gaza, and impose sanctions on the Israeli Apartheid State. Devoney believes that civilians can and should bring about systems change through direct actions like the flotilla.
