McGill University closed its downtown Montreal campus July 10 so police and security personnel could dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment that has been set up on the grounds since the end of April.
McGill President Deep Saini said the move comes in response to recent events at the camp that went “far beyond” peaceful protest, adding that safety risks have been escalating, “steadily and dangerously.”
“People linked to the camp have harassed our community members, engaged in anti-Semitic intimidation, damaged and destroyed McGill property, forcefully occupied a building, clashed with police, and committed acts of assault,” he said in an emailed statement July 10. “They also hosted a ‘revolutionary youth summer program’ advertised with images of masked individuals holding assault rifles.”
The university is dismantling the camp in “close collaboration” with the city and police, with the help of “a qualified security firm,” Mr. Saini said.
Police, some dressed in riot gear, cordoned off streets leading to the site of the encampment at the university’s lower field, blocking access, while a crowd of demonstrators gathered by the police line.
Videos posted to social media show Sirco private security guards searching tents with the help of a canine unit while others show heavy equipment like dump trucks and front-end loaders on hand to help with clean up.
Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights McGill, a student group participating in the encampment, said it would resist authorities, posting a call on social media for reinforcements.
“Following a shameful eviction notice, some students and comrades remain on site to defend the camp,” the group said in a July 10 post just before 11 a.m. “Wear masks and come in numbers. Urgent support needed.”
The group, in a subsequent post, said security services were “forcibly dismantling the camp,” adding that at least one protestor had been arrested.
A Montreal police spokesperson confirmed one person was taken into custody after being accused of assaulting a security agent. Security escorted the person outside the campus gates where Montreal police officers made the arrest.
Protestors were told they would be “escorted off campus” if they do not leave voluntarily, the university said in an update on its website, adding that many have chosen to leave.
The McGill protesters were demanding the university divest from companies that are “complicit” in Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories and cut ties with Israeli institutions. Several protesters have vowed to keep fighting, despite the dismantlement of the camp.
Classes typically held on campus were moved online July 10 as a safety precaution. Libraries and campus daycares were also closed and the university advised students and faculty to stay away during the tear-down process.
A ‘Growing Risk’
The university made the decision to dismantle the camp three weeks after ending negotiations with pro-Palestinian protesters, a move that came after determining the group was “unwilling” to compromise.Mr. Saini said while the university supports peaceful protests, being left in the dark about what was happening inside the encampment was a security risk for the university.
McGill engaged a firm to investigate the activities within the encampment and, what they found led the university to determine “the need for the camp’s dismantlement was urgent,” Mr. Saini said.
“Few members of the McGill community are in the encampment: Most people are activists from external groups,” he said. “One organizer of the encampment came to Montreal from outside the country shortly before tents were set up on April 27. Unhoused individuals now make up most of the few people who are sleeping in the camp overnight.”
He described the camp as a “significant health and safety” risk, adding that illegal narcotics have been sold there and two drug overdoses have occurred since July 6. The camp is also infested with rats and a number of fire risks were identified.
Health risks aside, Mr. Saini said, the camp continued to attract protesters “intent on violence,” and multiple acts of vandalism were carried out July 5.
“These last few months have been extraordinarily difficult for our students, faculty and staff,” he added. “The dismantling of the encampment is an important step in restoring our healthy campus climate, and renewing our focus on teaching, learning and research.”
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
