McGill Dismantles Pro-Palestinian Encampment After Eviction Notices
In a decisive move early Wednesday morning, McGill University began dismantling a pro-Palestinian encampment that had been in place for over 10 weeks. The operation followed the issuance of two eviction notices to protesters, prompting a significant police presence, including officers in riot gear, to ensure order.
By mid-morning, security guards and contractors hired by the university started removing tents and fences. The university’s decision to close its downtown campus to facilitate the operation resulted in several dozen protesters being escorted from the site, with at least one person arrested.
Temporary fencing was erected to block campus access, and Sûreté du Québec officers in heavy riot gear turned away students and staff. Despite the heavy police presence, the dismantling proceeded peacefully.
The encampment had become a point of contention, with McGill citing incidents of violence, intimidation, and illegal drug use. The university stated that the majority of the encampment’s occupants were not students but external activists and unhoused individuals.
McGill President Deep Saini emphasized that while the university respects freedom of expression, the encampment’s activities had gone beyond peaceful protest and disrupted the university’s mission and community.
The protest initially began on April 27, with students demonstrating against the university’s investments in weapons companies and firms with ties to Israel. The encampment was part of a broader wave of protests across North America in response to Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza.
Wednesday’s operation marks the last removal of such encampments at Quebec universities, following similar actions at UQAM, Université de Sherbrooke, and Université Laval.