Pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill enters Day 7 with no settlement in sight

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Montreal police have not directly responded to Premier François Legault’s demands that the encampment be dismantled.

Published May 03, 2024  •  Last updated 25 minutes ago  •  1 minute read

Police officers stand between groups carrying Israeli and Palestinian flags
Montreal police keep pro-Israel counter-protesters away from the pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal Thursday May 2, 2024. Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

A pro-Palestinian encampment on the grounds of McGill’s downtown campus entered its seventh day on Friday.

Concerns of potential violence from duelling demonstrations on Thursday proved unfounded and Montreal police say that while they are maintaining order and public safety, they are doing so “while maintaining rights and freedoms.”

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No incidents were reported overnight Friday at the encampment near the Roddick Gates on Sherbrooke St. W., police said.

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Friday morning’s calm followed tense hours on Thursday during which pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel supporters held competing demonstrations in front the encampment, separated by a line of uniformed police on foot and horseback. There were no clashes between the groups and by 4 p.m. most of the demonstrators had left.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Quebec Premier François Legault called on Montreal police to dismantle the “illegal” encampment. The premier’s comments drew no direct reply from police officials, though the Montreal force did take the unusual step of issuing of statement on Thursday evening which explained their ground rules for dealing with the encampment.

  1. Police officers in tactical gear line up facing pro-Palestinian protesters on the grass

    Montreal police form a line separating the McGill pro-Palestinian encampment and the counter-protest on Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

  2. A man yells in a megaphone while surrounded by people carrying Israeli flags

    Pro-Israel counter-protesters shout at pro-Palestinian demonstrators who have set up an encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  3. A man points while yelling

    Pro-Israel counter-protesters shout at pro-Palestinian demonstrators who have set up an encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  4. A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.

    A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

  5. A man holds an Israeli flag over a fence surrounded by other people carrying Israeli flags and hostage posters, while Palestinian flags are visible blurry in the foreground

    Pro-Israel protesters near the McGill Palestinian encampment on Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

  6. A person wearing a headscarf and face covering holds a Palestinian flag behind their head, with Israeli flags in the background

    A pro-Palestinian protester at McGill on Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

  7. Montreal police control McGill University's Roddick Gates ahead of a pro-Israel counter-demonstration near the pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus in Montreal on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

    Montreal police control McGill University’s Roddick Gates ahead of a pro-Israel counter-demonstration near the pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus in Montreal on Thursday, May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  8. A pro-Palestinian demonstrator removes her shoes before entering her tent in the encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

    A pro-Palestinian demonstrator removes her shoes before entering her tent in the encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal on Thursday, May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  9. A pro-Palestinian demonstrator crawls into her tent in the encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

    A pro-Palestinian demonstrator crawls into her tent in the encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal on Thursday, May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  10. A pro-Palestinian demonstrator carries pallets through the encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

    A pro-Palestinian demonstrator carries pallets through the encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal on Thursday, May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  11. Montreal mounted police get in place across from McGill University's Roddick Gates ahead of a pro-Israel counter-demonstration near the pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus in Montreal on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

    Montreal mounted police get in place across from McGill University’s Roddick Gates ahead of a pro-Israel counter-demonstration near the pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus in Montreal on Thursday, May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  12. McGill University encampment members lined up along the perimeter and chanted slogans on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

    McGill University encampment members lined up along the perimeter and chanted slogans on Thursday, May 2, 2024.Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  13. McGill University encampment members are seen on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

    McGill University encampment members are seen on Thursday, May 2, 2024.Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  14. A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.

    A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  15. A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.

    A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  16. A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.

    A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

  17. A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.

    A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  18. A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.

    A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  19. A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.

    A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  20. A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.

    A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

  21. A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.

    A scene from McGill University pro-Palestinian encampment on May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  22. A police officer on horseback looks over his shoulder as pro-Palestinian protesters hold up banners in the background

    Mounted Montreal police at the McGill encampment during the counter-protest on Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

  23. Police officers wearing tactical gear and red armbands stand between people carrying Palestinian flags on the lawn and people carrying Israeli flags beyond a fence on the sidewalk

    Montreal police form a line separating the McGill pro-Palestinian encampment and the counter-protest on Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

  24. Police officers wearing tactical gear and red armbands stand between people carrying Palestinian flags on the lawn and people carrying Israeli flags beyond a fence on the sidewalk

    Montreal police form a line separating the McGill pro-Palestinian encampment and the counter-protest on Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

  25. A person wearing a kaffiyeh as a headscarf and face covering stands in front of a police officer, both facing the same direction, with Israeli flags in the background

    A McGill pro-Palestinian protester next to Montreal police during the counter-protest on Thursday May 2, 2024 .Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

  26. A man holds up an Israeli flag while he and another man yell something

    Pro-Israel counter-protesters shout at pro-Palestinian demonstrators who have set up an encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  27. Two men yell while holding one arm in the air, with Israeli flags in the background

    Pro-Israel counter-protesters shout at pro-Palestinian demonstrators who have set up an encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  28. Two women hold homemade signs reading 'We are NOT afraid!' and 'Montreal stands with Israel' while yelling in front of a fence. Police and Palestinian flags are visible in the distance.

    Pro-Israel counter-protesters shout at pro-Palestinian demonstrators who have set up an encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  29. A police officer on horseback points at something while they stand on a grassy area

    Mounted police officer directs pro-Palestinian demonstrators away from pro-Israel counter-protesters near the pro-Palestine encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  30. A large group of people carrying Israeli flags stands outside a large stone pillared gate

    Pro-Israel counter-protesters fill Sherbrooke St. outside McGill University’s Roddick Gates and across from a pro-Palestine encampment on the campus in Montreal Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  31. Police officers stand between groups carrying Israeli and Palestinian flags

    Montreal police keep pro-Israel counter-protesters away from the pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  32. A police officer stands watch in front of a group of protesters, one carrying a sign reading 'Not in my name'

    Montreal police officers keep pro-Palestinian demonstrators away from Pro-Israel counter-protesters outside the pro-Palestine encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  33. A large group of people, many holding Israel and Canada flags, gather on a sidewalk

    Pro-Israel counter-protesters fill the sidewalk in front of the pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus of McGill University in Montreal Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

  34. A man waves a very large Palestinian flag on a stone walkway

    The Palestinian flag is flown over McGill campus during a protest and counter-protest on Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

  35. Two groups of protesters face off, with one in the foreground holding a sign reading 'Jews for Palestinian liberation' and another on the other side reading 'Bring them home now'

    A McGill pro-Palestinian encampment and the counter-protest show their positions on Thursday May 2, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

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Saying they are aware of a decision by a Superior Court justice not to grant an injunction that would have forced the encampment to leave and are “closely following” the legal debate surrounding the occupation, the police force said they are maintaining contact with McGill and the protesters and are following the “evolution of the situation.”

“Let’s remember that the role of police in such a situation is to maintain the peace, good order and public safety while respecting rights and freedoms.”

The protesters are calling on McGill to divest from its investments in Israel. The university has replied that it is ready to discuss the issue, but only after the encampment has been dismantled.

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