Protesters breach U of T fence, Legault calls for police to dismantle McGill camp

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Shortly after Quebec Premier François Legault called for police to move in and dismantle the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University on Thursday, protesters, counter-protesters and police arrived at the site in larger numbers.

Now in its sixth day, a visible police presence was at the site early Thursday morning, ahead of planned counter-protests by pro-Israel groups.

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“Everybody in Quebec has to respect laws, and right now these encampments are illegal,” Legault said. “We have to respect the law. And I want to make sure that the police officers ensure the laws are respected.”

Here’s what’s happening at other campuses across Canada.

University of Toronto

Students at the University of Toronto breached a fence on the downtown campus early Thursday to set up an encampment while calling on the school to cut ties with Israel.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, the students said they are standing together with students at other universities across North America.

“We have many, many students, many undergraduate students, graduate students from all kinds of backgrounds, all kinds of religions … all here. We also have a number of faculty who are supporting us,” said Erin Mackey, one of the protest organizers.

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Despite the school issue a warning against setting up encampments on school grounds, dozens of tents could be seen Thursday morning, as well as a notable police and private security presence.

In a written statement Thursday morning, the university said its campuses remain open and noted that protest activities “must not interfere with the ability of students, faculty, librarians and staff to learn, teach, research and work.”

“Our preference is to start with dialogue,” the university wrote. “Those who contravene university policy or the law risk the consequences set out in various laws and policies such as the Code of Student Conduct, which could include suspension.”

The protesters have gathered mainly at the centre of King’s College Circle in downtown Toronto, which protesters have renamed the People’s Circle for Palestine.

In a statement to National Post, Jay Solomon, Hillel Ontario’s chief advancement officer, said the “level of antisemitism facing Jewish Canadians is at an all-time high.” Hillel is a group representing Jewish students at seven post-secondary institutions in the province.

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“Students on campus are at the forefront of that hate. Hillel Ontario’s most important priority is keeping Jewish students safe. As such, we urge the University of Toronto administration to enforce their existing policies and hold violators accountable for their actions.”

University of British Columbia and University of Victoria

The University of Victoria acknowledged Wednesday that anti-Israel protesters had set up an encampment on campus, with the school issuing a statement that it was “taking a calm and thoughtful approach” to the situation.

“We encourage thoughtful, reasoned and academic discourse on current issues and maintain that these discussions must take place in an environment free from discrimination, harassment and hate speech of any kind,” a statement from the university said.

“Out of an abundance of caution, campus security may be monitoring access to buildings near the demonstration and may ask people for information prior to entering these buildings.”

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Meanwhile, an encampment at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver has entered its fourth day.

Jewish groups in B.C. have urged the administration at UBC to ensure the safety of Jewish students.

Hillel BC said in a statement that it had asked UBC for “proactive measures” to prevent “disruption to student life and the educational process.”

“We are closely monitoring the situation regarding the encampment at UBC,” said the statement, posted to Instagram. “We have been in touch with the university administration to express our concerns and to request measures that ensure the ongoing demonstrations remain peaceful and respectful. ⁠”

The protesters at UBC say they are prepared to stay until the school agrees to demands that it support the Palestinian cause in the ongoing conflict.

The University of Ottawa

Protesters at the University of Ottawa are now on their fourth day of organized sit-ins, organized by the Palestinian Students Association.

“We’re here demanding from the university transparency with regards to where our tuition money is going,” co-organizer Ayham Hakimi, a third-year student, told The Canadian Press. “We demand full disclosure.”

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The sit-ins are planned to continue throughout the week, alongside speeches and chants from noon to 9 p.m. each day.

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The school has warned protesters not to set up encampments on the property.

“While peaceful protest is permitted in appropriate public spaces on campus according to our policies and regulations, encampments and occupations will not be tolerated,” wrote Eric Bercier, the university’s associate vice-president of student affairs, in a statement posted on the university’s website Sunday.

Among their demands, the students want the institution to divest from Scotiabank, which has attracted media attention because of its investment in an Israeli arms firm known as Elbit Systems Ltd.

With additional reporting from Montreal Gazette, The Canadian Press

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