Pro-Palestinian protesters at McGill and supporters have barricaded themselves inside the administration building “as part of the global call to action #Escalate4Rafah,” SPHR McGill said in a press release on Thursday afternoon.
In social media videos, protesters can be seen waving a Palestinian flag from a building and holding a sign that says, “You could have divested 41 days ago.”
“Students have blockaded themselves inside the building, taking ownership of their university,” writes SPHR McGill.
Montreal police confirm to CityNews that they were called and are onsite to provide support and analyze the situation. Spokesperson Sabrina Gauthier explains that they have not yet determined any next steps, but that they are there to be sure people’s security is being respected.
McGill in an email statement says that, “Protesters are currently occupying the main administration building on the downtown campus of McGill University. Police and security services are on site. Protesters have set up a barricade outside the building.”
SPHR McGill claims that the university invests over $20 million in technology and weapons manufacturing companies that are directly involved in operations in Gaza. “Moreover, the university is involved in exchange programs with Israeli universities.”
“This barricade is part of a wave of mass movement of students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters standing in solidarity with Gaza,” and demanding that universities divest and end all ties with Israel and its universities.
An pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill has been set-up on the lower field of their downtown campus since April 27 – and demonstrators have said they have no intention of leaving. Two emergency injunction requests by the university to dismantle the camp have been denied by the courts.
“The McGill administration has the power and ability to answer the democratically-articulated demands of the student body, and as long as they refuse, students will continue standing up.”