Pro-Palestinian protesters have set up camp at the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus, vowing to stay until their demands are met. The encampment, which began on Monday, has grown to about 30 tents stocked with supplies like water, food, and bedding. The protesters are calling for an academic boycott of Israeli universities and for UBC to divest from Israeli companies complicit in the oppression of Palestinians.
A spokesperson for the protest, identified only as Kevin, stated that they are prepared to stay as long as necessary. The protest at UBC is part of a larger wave of rallies and encampments across North America in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. Despite the lack of a visible RCMP presence, UBC officials have warned protesters about violating university policies.
Meanwhile, at McGill University in Montreal, police are evaluating options to dismantle a similar camp after activists refused to leave. At UBC, protesters have erected barriers around their campsite, displaying Palestinian flags and banners with slogans like “free Palestine.” School officials are in contact with police to monitor the situation.
Despite challenges, Kevin remains confident in the camp’s resilience. The atmosphere inside the camp is described as festive, with music playing and people engaging in conversations. B.C. Premier David Eby has called for a balance between free speech and personal safety on campus amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides, with Hamas holding hostages and Israel reporting fatalities.