McGill Asks for Police Help as Canadian Universities Confronted With Pro-Palestine Encampments

An activists uses a megaphone within a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on McGill University's campus in Montreal, April 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

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.

“This involves weapons manufacturers and some real estate agencies as well,” one unnamed protester told Global News April 28.

McGill administration says the encampment remains in place despite demonstrators being told to leave.

“We informed participants that this encampment was not authorized and gave them time to gather their belongings and leave the premises. However, most have chosen to remain,” McGill said in an April 30 statement.

“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.”

Police said it would continue to update information as the situation unfolds.

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.

“Any student involved in unauthorized activities or conduct that contravenes University policies or the law may be subject to consequences,” University of Toronto vice-provost Sandy Welsh said in an email posted on social media.

The sentiment was echoed in a statement by University of Ottawa associate vice-president of student affairs Éric Bercier.

“Our institution supports and protects the right to peaceful protest as a cornerstone of both our university mission and our democratic life,” he wrote.

“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.”

“To the extent that inappropriate conduct violates one or more of the University’s policies, individuals may be subject to the University’s disciplinary processes or other appropriate measures under the University’s discrimination policy or student code of conduct.”

Protests have cropped up at about a dozen campuses in the United States, with students setting up encampments to express anger over Israeli action in Gaza, according to Reuters. New York’s Columbia University has locked down its campus and restricted access after protesters stormed a building.

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.

“Having peaceful demonstrations is a protected charter right in Canada, and a right unto the Bill of Rights in the United States. But setting up encampments on college campuses is a violation of pretty much every code of conduct, including that of McGill University section seven,” he said in an April 27 video posted to X.

He called on the school administration, police, and provincial government to step in.

“An encampment at McGill is entirely unacceptable, whoever is doing it.”