McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment
Ongoing occupation protest in Quebec, Canada / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment is an ongoing occupation protest which has been taking place on the downtown campus of McGill University, in Montreal, since 27 April 2024. It was the first notable[note 1] Canadian demonstration in the 2024 movement of pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses, which call for universities to cut ties with Israel amid the country's assault on Gaza in the Israel–Hamas war. Like many of its predecessors, the protest at McGill takes the form of an encampment, a group of tents occupied day and night by protesters.
McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment | |||
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Part of the 2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses | |||
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 | ||
Goals | For McGill University and Concordia University to:
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Methods | Occupation protest | ||
Status | Ongoing | ||
Parties | |||
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The encampment was organized by a collective of pro-Palestinian student groups from McGill and the nearby Concordia University. Their demands were for those universities to cut ties with Israel, including by divesting from Israel-related funds such as weapons manufacturers. Roughly 20 tents were initially set up close to the Roddick Gates and encircled by a metal fence. In the following days, the encampment grew to roughly 100 tents. It is equipped with various amenities and hosts daily activities related to the protest. Students and faculty from various Montreal universities, which also include the Université du Québec à Montréal and Université de Montréal, occupy the tents.
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.