McGill University is asking for police assistance to deal with pro-Palestinian demonstrators who have been encamped on the Montreal campus for four days. Demonstrations have also appeared at other Canadian universities, prompting the institutions to issues warnings against holding encampments.
The demonstrations are similar to ones being held on university campuses in the United States, calling for an end to the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
Canadian protesters have told media they are calling for the university to stop funding any companies and organizations that have dealings with Israel.
McGill administration says the encampment remains in place despite demonstrators being told to leave.
“As we have failed to reach a resolution, university leadership decided to take the final step in our protocol, and requested police assistance.”
The university said it had been in touch with police since the protest began on April 27.
“Throughout, our goal has been to ensure the security of all, including encampment participants,” the statement said.
“The safety and wellbeing of all our students and staff is our paramount concern.”
Montreal police acknowledged the request for assistance from the school, telling The Epoch Times it is “evaluating the various possible avenues“ and is ”advocating a peaceful outcome.”
Growing Number of Protests
As concerns grow over potential protests at other universities, the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa have issued statements telling students encampments are “unauthorized activities” and will not be tolerated.The sentiment was echoed in a statement by University of Ottawa associate vice-president of student affairs Éric Bercier.
“Nevertheless, everyone in our university community has the right to feel safe and respected. We have forcefully and repeatedly affirmed that no incitement to violence or incidents of harassment or hate, including Islamophobia and Antisemitism, will be tolerated on our campuses.”
Images of similar encampment-style protests at the University of British Columbia have been showing up on social media, and a spokesperson said they were monitoring the situation.
“Already there are concerning actions at the site,” spokesperson Matthew Ramsey told The Epoch Times in an email. “These include the removal of items (fencing, road barricades) from nearby construction sites and University property, the removal of furnishings from nearby University buildings, minor damage to the buildings and furnishings, and possibly to the turf field, the erection of barricades and the construction of cooking facilities on UBC property, as well as the removal and possible theft of a Canadian flag from a UBC flag pole.”
Mr. Ramsey said there was also a concern that the encampment is preventing other members of the university community from “enjoying the site.”
Politicians React to Protest
Federal Justice Minister Arif Virani said the situation at McGill should be handled by the school.“Ultimately, this is a situation for McGill to try and manage,” Mr. Virani, who is also a McGill alumni, told reporters on April 30. “We have constitutionally protected expressive rights, which are important, but there are limits on that expression, which include the fact that you cannot promote hate, and you cannot intimidate.”
Mr. Virani also said that it was up to McGill to determine whether protesters have vandalized property or hindered students from their studies on campus.
“That is ultimately for McGill to verify and to address, including using the provincial government to come to their assistance,” he said.
Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez said protests need to be done respectfully.
“The right to protest and demonstrate is fundamental in our society, but it has to be done by respecting rules and laws,” Mr. Rodriguez said.
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather called on McGill to act when the demonstrators first started protesting.
He called on the school administration, police, and provincial government to step in.
“An encampment at McGill is entirely unacceptable, whoever is doing it.”
