McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment | |||
---|---|---|---|
Part of the Redpath Library | |||
Date | 27 April 2024 — present (1 month, 1 week and 6 days) | ||
Location | McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 45°30′14″N 73°34′33″W / 45.50389°N 73.57583°W | ||
Goals | For McGill University and Concordia University to:
| ||
Methods | Occupation protest | ||
Status | Ongoing | ||
Parties | |||
|
The McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment is an ongoing
The encampment was organized by a collective of
McGill University has stated that the encampment is illegal and has requested police assistance to dismantle it. The university's president, Deep Saini, accused protesters of antisemitism, which they have denied. As of yet, Montreal's police department has not attempted to dismantle the encampment, which has been repeatedly described as peaceful. The Superior Court of Quebec rejected two injunction requests against the protest, the second of which was filed by McGill itself. The premier of Quebec, François Legault, has joined the university in declaring the encampment illegal and requesting police intervention. The encampment's members have stated their intention to remain on site until their demands are met.
Background
Student groups
Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on 7 October 2023, student groups at Montreal's two English-language universities, McGill and Concordia, have taken on a visible role as they have held protests and demonstrations in support of either Palestine or Israel.[1][2] On 8 November 2023, an altercation erupted at Concordia after two student groups, Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) Concordia and StartUp Nation, set up neighbouring kiosks in a common space.[3] The former was raising funds for the Gaza humanitarian crisis while the latter sought to raise awareness about hostages held by Hamas.[3] Three injuries were reported and a student was arrested.[4] On 19 December, McGill removed the university's name from its chapter of SPHR after reviewing a since-deleted social media post describing the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October as "heroic".[5]
Protests against McGill's investments
At McGill University, pro-Palestinian groups have protested against the institution's investments in Israel-related funds, including weapons manufacturers.
Composition of McGill's endowment fund
On 18 April 2024, two of McGill's pro-Palestinian student groups published a data set compiling 50 Israel-related companies that the university held investments in as of 31 December 2023.[12][13] These investments, which were publicly disclosed on McGill's website, totalled at least $73 million.[14] Of this amount, more than $5.5 million were invested in military technology companies which have contracts with the IDF, including Lockheed Martin, Thales, Safran, Dassault, Airbus and BAE Systems.[15][16] Multiple other companies who operate in Israeli settlements, as well as large Canadian banks, listed because of their own investments in weapons manufacturers, appear in the data set.[17] McGill's endowment fund, which is managed by external fund managers hired by the institution, is worth about $1.8 billion in total and created 6.1% of its revenue in 2023.[12][14][18] As for Concordia University, it does not publicly disclose its investments.[15]
Encampment protests in the United States
On 17 April 2024, students at
Organizing
Pro-Palestinian students in Montreal were directly inspired by the movement of encampment protests taking shape in the United States.[21] The McGill encampment, nicknamed the "liberated zone", was first announced on social media by the McGill and Concordia chapters of Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR).[22][23] McGill and Concordia chapters of the group Independent Jewish Voices were also organizers.[24]
First day
On the morning of 27 April 2024, a Saturday, the McGill administration sent a communique to students in response to social media posts announcing the encampment on campus.[25][15] The email informed them that encampments were "not permitted on our campus" and that they "can create serious health and safety concerns while increasing the potential for escalation and confrontation".[25] McGill did not initially state whether it would ask for the tents to be forcibly removed.[25]
That same day, sometime after 1:30 PM, around 20 tents were erected on the field behind the
News media have described the McGill pro-Palestinian encampment as the first of its kind in Canada,[30][31][32] although social media posts document a small set of tents on the campus of the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, on 22 April 2024.[33]
Demands
As is the case for other student protests sparked by the
Encampment
Location and members
The "liberated zone" is located on the lower field of McGill's campus in
Structure and installation
According to protesters, the encampment has developed an organizational structure, including a code of conduct with rules addressing issues such as hate speech and discrimination.[27][43] Campers hold a general assembly every morning, discussing the current events in Gaza and other subjects related to the protest.[27] According to McGill, the group of protesters is non-hierarchical.[40]
The protesters' tents are located inside a fenced-in area.
Activities
Many activities are held in and around the encampment.
Unfolding
Response from McGill University
On the first day of the protest, before tents were set up, McGill emailed a communique to students stating that encampments were "not permitted".[25] After the tents were installed, McGill representatives requested for them to be removed, which protesters refused to do.[12] That day, McGill declined to state whether the tents would be forcibly removed and did not request police assistance, according to Montreal's police department, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM).[25][23]
Two days later, on 29 April 2024, McGill stated that the situation had "shifted significantly".[55] It said the encampment, which had tripled in size since the first day, was largely occupied by non-McGill students and that it violated both university policy and the law.[55][56] McGill's president, Deep Saini, denounced "obvious antisemitism" among protesters.[28] The university further stated it was reviewing "video evidence of some people using unequivocally antisemitic language and intimidating behaviour", but did not initially disclose such evidence to journalists.[55][56] At 4 PM, a spokesperson for McGill security handed protesters pamphlets asking them to disperse.[55] He later returned to issue a "final warning" and stated the university could call the police.[55] Later that day, McGill requested police assistance to the SPVM.[35][57] The SPVM refused to intervene, instead urging McGill to resolve the situation through dialogue with the protesters.[58]
The following day, on 30 April 2024, Saini reiterated that the dismantlement of the encampment was "non-negotiable".[44] He committed to hold a forum with protesters, if they left campus, to discuss their demands "in a peaceful, respectful and civilized manner".[44][59] A spokesperson for the protesters said the offer wasn't "serious" and that they would stay until they "see a divestment".[44]
Security, legality and policing
The SPVM has repeatedly described the McGill encampment as peaceful.[60] As of 8 May 2024, no incident had been reported on site.[52] On 30 April 2024, one of the SPVM's spokespeople stated that the situation on campus was a civil matter and that "no crime [was] being committed".[43]
On the first day of the encampment, several
First injunction request
On 30 April 2024, an
27 videos were included with the request.[27] One of them, which McGill shared with news media and stated they were "investigating" due to antisemitism, shows protesters chanting "Go back to Europe".[27][57] A social media post, the video includes text which refers to them as "Jihadists".[43] Members of the encampment stated the protesters in the video were not part of their group, and news media were not able to verify if the events occurred in the context of the encampment.[27][57]
In a 10-page decision, Justice Chantal Masse of the
Counter-protest
On 2 May 2024, a pro-Israeli
Second injunction request
On 10 May 2024, a second injunction request was filed against the McGill encampment, this one with the university itself as the
On 15 May 2024, Justice Marc St-Pierre rejected the request and described it as "ill-founded", citing a lack of the urgency that may have justified an injunction.[64][65][58] In his decision, St-Pierre wrote that the protest had been peaceful and that a provisional injunction could not be granted preemptively.[65][66] He suggested that McGill modify the request and refile it within 10 days.[64]
Occupation of the James Administration Building
On 6 June 2024, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the third floor of the James Administration Building, part of McGill's downtown campus, for several hours.[67] The occupation was conducted in reaction to the ongoing Israeli offensive in Rafah, Palestine.[68] Protesters chained some of the building's entrances shut, excluding a back door, and chanted and banged on drums.[67] In a statement, McGill alleged that they damaged furniture, "banged on the doors and yelled threats" at university staff.[69]
Three hours after the protesters, riot squad officers of the SPVM entered the building following a request from McGill.
Responses
From political figures
On 2 May 2024, François Legault, the premier of Quebec, stated that the encampment was illegal and that it should be dismantled by the SPVM.[45] He was criticized for his position, including by Quebec's federation of university professors, the FQPPU.[71] François Bonnardel and Pascale Déry, ministers in Legault's government, also said the encampment was illegal.[72] Montreal mayor Valérie Plante stated her wish to avoid a confrontation between protesters and the police, citing those that occurred around pro-Palestinian encampments in the United States.[73] Yves-François Blanchet, leader of the Bloc Québécois, said the protesters should leave the site.[72] Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party, defended their right to protest but said he was worried about a "threat towards Jewish students".[74] Anthony Housefather, a Liberal MP from the Montreal region, published a video calling for the encampment to be dismantled on the day it was set up.[75] Politician supporters of the encampment include Housefather's Liberal colleague, Salma Zahid.[24] Amir Khadir and Haroun Bouazzi, two politicians associated with the provincial party Québec solidaire, visited the encampment site.[23][60]
Allegations of antisemitism
Deep Saini and the McGill administration have condemned alleged antisemitism in the encampment.[28][55] The Jewish organization B'nai Brith Canada associated the encampment with a "rising tide of antisemitism".[56] A video shared by McGill shows a group of protesters chanting "Go back to Europe" on campus.[43] Members of the encampment stated these protesters were not part of their group.[27] They have rejected claims of antisemitism and said the protest was interfaith.[28] A Jewish professor at McGill was among those who argued the term was weaponized by opponents "to prevent us from criticizing Israel".[51][28]
Notes
- ^ News media described the McGill encampment as the first one in Canada, although social media posts document a few tents on the campus of the University of Alberta on 22 April 2024.
References
- Montreal Gazette. Archivedfrom the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- Montreal Gazette. Archivedfrom the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Montreal Gazette. Archivedfrom the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ "Multiple injuries in Montreal after group altercation at Concordia University over Israel-Hamas war". CBC News. 8 November 2023. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Morris, Erika (19 December 2024). "McGill drops university name from Palestinian solidarity group over social media post". CBC News. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b Gabbatt, Adam (26 April 2024). "Four students on why they're protesting against war in Gaza: 'Injustice should not be accepted'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Montreal Gazette. Archivedfrom the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Cabrera, Holly (23 November 2023). "Quebec Superior Court halts adoption of pro-Palestinian McGill student union policy". CBC News. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- Montreal Gazette. Archivedfrom the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Roberts, Denise (22 February 2024). "Pro-Palestinian protesters block entrance to McGill Bronfman building". CTV News. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b Carrier, Léa (6 May 2024). "Université McGill: Sans échéancier, le campement propalestinien continuera de « s'étendre »". La Presse (in French). Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Yanez-Leyton, Cassandra (27 April 2024). "Students set up 'indefinite' pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Maratta, Alessia Simona (28 April 2024). "Protesters at McGill encampment demand university divest from Israel". Global News. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b Nerestant, Antoni (29 April 2024). "A look at where McGill's money goes — and why protesters say it's a problem". CBC News. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Beaulieu-Kratchanov, Léa; Barrett, Oona (29 April 2024). "Campement à McGill : les étudiant·es tiennent tête à leurs universités pour le boycott d'Israël". Pivot (in French). Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b Bickis, Ian (30 April 2024). "A look at the divestment demands by McGill University protesters". CTV News. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Morris, Erika; Oduro, Kwabena (28 April 2024). "'We're not going anywhere,' say pro-Palestinian protesters at McGill encampment". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Chang, Andrew (7 May 2024). "Why universities keep saying no to divestment". CBC News. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Washington Post. Associated Press. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- Washington Post. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b Lowrie, Morgan (29 April 2024). "Pro-Palestinian encampment grows at Montreal's McGill university". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b Brisson Dubreuil, Laurence (28 April 2024). "Students vow to 'stand their ground,' show solidarity with Palestinians at McGill encampment". CTV News. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Arcand, Fannie (27 April 2024). "Un campement propalestinien à McGill". La Presse (in French). Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Lowrie, Morgan (29 April 2024). "Les militants du campement propalestinien à McGill n'ont pas l'intention de partir". L’actualité (in French). Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Lofaro, Joe (27 April 2024). "'Divest now': Students launch encampment at McGill University". CTV News. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Montreal Gazette. Archivedfrom the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Stevenson, Verity; Nerestant, Antoni (1 May 2024). "Student protesters at McGill encampment determined to stay after judge rejects injunction". CBC News. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Montreal Gazette. Archivedfrom the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Morin-Martel, Florence (28 April 2024). "Une deuxième journée pour le campement propalestinien à McGill". Le Devoir (in French). Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Blaff, Ari (28 April 2024). "McGill protesters set up first anti-Israel encampment in Canada". National Post. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- Radio-Canada (in French). Archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Marin, Stéphanie (2 May 2024). "Mêmes buts, traitements différents pour les campements pro-Palestine en Amérique". Le Devoir (in French). Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Hopper, Tristin (1 May 2024). "FIRST READING: What the Gaza encampments want and who's organizing them". National Post. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Cabral, Sam; Faguy, Ana (26 April 2024). "What do pro-Palestinian student protesters at US universities want?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b Carrier, Léa (29 April 2024). "Campement propalestinien: La tension monte à McGill". La Presse (in French). Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b Duhamel, Frédérik-Xavier (28 April 2024). "Pro-Palestinian protesters set up encampment at McGill". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- Radio-Canada. 6 May 2024. Archivedfrom the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Montreal Gazette. Archivedfrom the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Montreal Gazette. Archivedfrom the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- Montreal Gazette. Archivedfrom the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Morris, Erika; Lapierre, Matthew (30 April 2024). "McGill asks police for help as pro-Palestinian protesters dig in on 4th day of encampment". CBC News. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ Montreal Gazette. Archivedfrom the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d Carrier, Léa; Chouinard, Tommy; Ferah, Mayssa (2 May 2024). "Manifestations pro-israélienne et propalestinienne: « On ne va pas les laisser nous déranger »". La Presse (in French). Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ a b Morin-Martel, Florence (5 May 2024). "Les membres du campement de McGill «toujours motivés», après plus d'une semaine". Le Devoir (in French). Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Lowrie, Morgan; Dubey, Ritika (5 May 2024). "McGill pro-Palestinian encampment now a 'tiny city'". CBC News. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Stevenson, Verity (3 May 2024). "McGill encampment supporters reflect on the ups and downs of a week in protest". CBC News. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Dawson, Tyler (1 May 2024). "Quebec court won't order removal of McGill anti-Israel protest encampment". National Post. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ Lau, Rachel; Rowe, Daniel J. (2 May 2024). "Counter-protesters face off with pro-Palestinian encampment group at McGill University". CTV News. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Radio-Canada (in French). Archivedfrom the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ a b Ferah, Mayssa; Arcand, Fannie (4 May 2024). "Campement propalestinien à McGill: De nouveaux manifestants offrent leur soutien". La Presse (in French). Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- Noovo Info (in French). Archivedfrom the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Lapierre, Matthew; Morris, Erika (29 April 2024). "Protesters at McGill pro-Palestinian encampment are staying put despite warning for them to leave". CBC News. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Duhamel, Frédérik-Xavier; Friesen, Joe (29 April 2024). "McGill University threatens police action to clear pro-Palestinian encampment". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Goudreault, Zacharie; Marin, Stéphanie (30 April 2024). "Une action judiciaire pour limiter les manifestations sur le campus de McGill". Le Devoir (in French). Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Lapierre, Matthew; Morris, Erika (13 May 2024). "McGill asks judge to order 'occupants' off its campus, end encampment protest". CBC News. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- Radio-Canada (in French). Archivedfrom the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Stevenson, Verity; Nerestant, Antoni (2 May 2024). "On Day 6 of McGill encampment, pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters face off". CBC News. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ a b Carrier, Léa (1 May 2024). "Campement propalestinien à McGill: La demande d'injonction rejetée par la Cour supérieure". La Presse (in French). Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Montreal Gazette. Archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Montreal Gazette. 2 May 2024. Archivedfrom the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ a b Lapierre, Matthew; Stevenson, Verity (15 May 2024). "Quebec Superior Court judge rejects McGill injunction request to remove encampment". CBC News. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ Carrier, Léa (15 May 2024). "Campement propalestinien: La demande d'injonction de l'Université McGill rejetée". La Presse (in French). Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Dufranne, Quentin (6 June 2024). "Campement à McGill: Vives tensions entre police et manifestants propalestiniens". La Presse (in French). Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ a b Yoon, Jennifer; Stevenson, Verity (6 June 2024). "Police arrest 15, use tear gas on crowd as pro-Palestinian activists occupy McGill University building". CBC News. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ Radio-Canada(in French). 6 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ Goudreault, Zacharie; Sioui, Marie-Michèle (2 May 2024). "Legault demande le démantèlement du campement de McGill et essuie des critiques". Le Devoir (in French). Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ a b Vieira, Sandrine; Sioui, Marie-Michèle (30 April 2024). "Le campement pro-Palestine à McGill est «illégal», disent Déry et Bonnardel". Le Devoir (in French). Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Carrier, Léa; Teisceira-Lessard, Philippe (13 May 2024). "Campement propalestinien à McGill: Valérie Plante ne veut pas d'affrontement avec la police". La Presse (in French). Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- Radio-Canada (in French). 29 April 2024. Archivedfrom the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- Al Jazeera. Archivedfrom the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.