Montreal·New
Justice Louis Joseph Gouin said in his decision issued Monday morning that putting in place security measures would reduce the surface area of the encampment without harming protesters’ right to freedom of expression.
Judge orders protesters to keep encampment at least 2 metres away from campus buildings
A Quebec Superior Court judge has partially granted an injunction request by Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM) to prohibit pro-Palestinian protesters from setting up tents and other material within two metres of campus buildings.
Justice Louis Joseph Gouin said in his decision issued Monday morning that putting in place security measures would reduce the surface area of the encampment without harming protesters’ right to freedom of expression.
UQAM filed for an injunction last Thursday against pro-Palestinian protesters who set up an encampment on its downtown campus on May 12.
The university said protesters are posing a safety risk by blocking an emergency exit, being in possession of gasoline canisters and iron bars, and potentially “overloading” the university’s electrical network with unauthorized extension cords.
The judge has also ordered protesters to refrain from blocking access to buildings and to remove cardboard obstructing cameras. Protesters must also allow representatives of UQAM and the Montreal fire department to visit the camp to ensure that the site is safe.
With files from Verity Stevenson