McGill University has requested the court to issue an injunction to dismantle the pro-Palestinian protesters’ camp in downtown Montreal.
The university announced this news last Friday, May 10, and appeared in court this Monday, May 13, morning to make their case.
If approved, McGill University’s application will require protesters to dismantle the camp and cease camping or occupying the campus. The school stated that the order would authorize the Montreal police to enforce it.
McGill stated that they are seeking the court injunction for three reasons: the camp poses risks to safety, security, and public health on campus; the camp’s presence has attracted a large number of protesters and counter-protesters with differing views, escalating tensions on campus; and the campus is private university property.
Protesters have been camping at McGill since April 27. McGill’s principal and vice-chancellor, Deep Saini, stated in a recent press release that they have had “numerous discussions” with the campers in an attempt to find a timely and peaceful resolution, and that these discussions are “ongoing.”
At another university in Montreal, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), pro-Palestinian protesters’ camp also appeared last Sunday, May 12. A spokesperson for the camp expressed support for the protest camp at McGill. In photos published by the media from the scene, flags with “UQAM International Communist Revolution” could be seen.
In addition, in two other Canadian universities, the pro-Palestinian camps on the campuses of University of Calgary and University of Alberta were cleared by police last Thursday, May 9, and last Saturday, May 11, respectively, resulting in multiple protesters being arrested.