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As the encampment at McGill’s downtown campus by pro-Palestinian protesters entered its 50th day, the university on Tuesday announced it is withdrawing an offer of amnesty to students involved in the protest and reminded all levels of government and police that “the encampment and related, harmful activities cannot be dealt with by any university on its own.”
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In an emailed message delivered to the McGill community, university president Deep Saini said “the circumstances that we are experiencing go well beyond McGill University. Rather, they represent an issue of grave and profound concern to civil society more broadly.”
Saini said that over the course of the last 50 days, “we have seen a series of completely unacceptable incidents take place and have sought assistance from the police to address these matters. … As it has become clear that no fruitful outcome will result from these talks, we are ceasing discussions. Instead, we will immediately begin exploring next steps to act on our commitments, in consultation with the broader McGill community. At the same time, we will develop and implement measures that reinforce inclusion, stability and cohesion within our campus.”
Saini repeated his description of the encampment as “an unauthorized and illegal occupation of McGill property” that has “led to alarming behaviours” including “targeted harassment and intimidation of students, staff and faculty,” the “forceful entry and illegal occupation of the James Administration building,” the “hanging of a political figure’s effigy at the Roddick Gates” and “incendiary and provocative rhetoric, signage and graffiti both at the encampment and throughout the campus that intimidate, inflict harm and are often experienced as antisemitic.”
Saini wrote that given the repeated refusal of protesters to even meet to negotiate their demands, “a limited disciplinary amnesty to students and staff prior to June 15″ has been withdrawn and “the university will pursue disciplinary processes against individuals participating in the encampment to the full extent outlined in our policies. We are also investigating the full spectrum of legal recourses available to us to recover from the damages incurred.”
Saini’s message comes a day after Montreal police announced they had opened an investigation and are consulting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police concerning a social media post advertising a “youth summer program” at the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University. The photo accompanying the post depicted at least two people who were armed.
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