McGill University announced the closure of its downtown campus Wednesday morning for a dismantling operation of the pro-Palestinian encampment that was set up more than 10 weeks ago.
There is a large police presence around the campus, because, earlier in the morning, the university served two eviction notices to the protesters.
Around 4 a.m., a post from an Instagram account belonging to protesters at the encampment said police were surrounding the side streets at McGill and feared that police would dismantle the tents.
They called for urgent support to defend the camp and asked people to come in numbers, as well as to bring masks, goggles and personal safety equipment.
Montreal police spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant said officers from the Service de police de la ville de Montréal (SPVM) are present, but only for support purposes.
The city told CBC that McGill is using a private security agency for a dismantling operation, but there has been no move to take down the tents as of yet.
Two groups of protesters, accompanied by security guards, were seen leaving the area peacefully early Wednesday, however there are still protesters in the camp. Those who were kicked out of the encampment, around 50 people, have staged a protest on Sherbrooke Street.
The SPVM has established a perimeter on Sherbrooke Street. No arrests have been made.
This story will be updated.