The tension between McGill University officials and pro-Palestinian protesters reached a boiling point as university president Deep Saini announced the decision to involve police in dismantling the encampment on the downtown Montreal campus.
After failed attempts to reach a resolution with the demonstrators, Saini stated that encampments on campus property are not within protected parameters, especially when they are presented as indefinite and involve individuals who are not part of the university community.
Despite a final warning from McGill security staff to vacate the lower field where the protesters had been stationed since Saturday, the demonstrators refused to comply. This led to the university’s decision to call in Montreal police for assistance.
Saini expressed the difficulty of resorting to police authority, emphasizing that it was not a decision made lightly. The university has been in contact with the police since the encampment began, and the situation escalated further with lawyer Neil Oberman representing two McGill students seeking a court injunction against the protesters.
While Montreal police stated that no crime was being committed at the encampment and that it was a civil matter, they are prepared to enforce a court injunction if granted. The ongoing standoff between McGill University officials and pro-Palestinian protesters continues to unfold as tensions rise on campus.