McGill Shuts Campus to Dismantle Pro-Palestinian Encampment

McGill University announced the closure of its downtown campus on Wednesday morning to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment that has been in place for over 10 weeks. The university cited escalating violence, vandalism, and health and safety risks associated with the encampment.

In an official statement, McGill University expressed concerns about the ongoing and increasing acts of violence and vandalism linked to the encampment. “To protect the security of the McGill community and the integrity of our property, the encampment on the lower field of the downtown campus is being dismantled,” the McGill University Emergency Operations Centre stated.

A significant contingent of local and provincial police officers, some in riot gear, arrived on campus early in the morning following two eviction notices served to the protesters. At around 4 a.m., protesters posted on Instagram, indicating that police were surrounding the side streets and urging supporters to come to the camp with masks, goggles, and personal safety equipment.

Images from the scene showed Montreal police in riot gear, with other officers on bicycles and horseback near the Roddick Gates, the main entrance to the McGill campus. Montreal police spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant stated that officers from the Service de police de la ville de Montréal (SPVM) were present for support purposes, while McGill employed a private security agency for the dismantling operation.

Despite the large police presence, there has been no move to take down the tents as of yet. Two groups of protesters, escorted by security guards, left the area peacefully early Wednesday. However, about 50 protesters have staged a protest on Sherbrooke Street, after being evicted from the encampment.

The SPVM has established a perimeter on Sherbrooke Street, and no arrests have been made. McGill University has advised everyone to avoid the downtown campus, cancelling all events, summer programs, and activities for the day.

The encampment began on April 27 as a student protest against McGill University’s investments in weapons companies and companies with ties to Israel. In a statement to the McGill community, University President Saini reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to freedom of expression and assembly, provided it aligns with laws and policies ensuring safety. “Recent events go far beyond peaceful protest and have inhibited the respectful exchange of views and ideas essential to the university’s mission and our sense of community,” Saini stated.

McGill has hired a firm to investigate the activities within the encampment, as police and university officials were previously denied access.