McGill University Students Continue Pro-Palestinian Encampment After Court Rejects Injunction

Pro-Palestinian students at McGill University in Montreal are continuing their encampment protest on campus, despite a Quebec Superior Court rejecting an injunction request that would have forced them out. The students, part of the Students in Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) group, have been occupying the university's lower field since Saturday, demanding that McGill divest from companies with Israeli business interests.

The encampment is part of a wave of similar protests that have spread across university campuses in Canada and the United States, linked to the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian protesters have also set up camps at the University of Victoria, Vancouver Island University, and the University of British Columbia in Canada, as well as Columbia University in New York and the University of California Los Angeles.

On Tuesday, a Quebec Superior Court judge rejected an injunction request filed by two McGill students that sought to bar the protesters from being within 100 meters of any of the university's buildings. Justice Chantal Masse ruled that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate sufficient urgency or that their access to the school was being impeded. While acknowledging the protesters' presence is illegal, the judge said it was premature to conclude the situation would not be resolved peacefully.

McGill University has repeatedly asked the protesters to leave, saying the demonstration goes against its policies. The university has decided to remain neutral in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has reached out to the encampment's lawyers to restart discussions. However, the protesters have vowed to remain indefinitely until their demands are met, which include divesting from companies linked to Israel, participating in a global academic boycott of Israeli schools, and publicly condemning Israeli actions in Gaza.

Why this matters: The ongoing pro-Palestinian protests at McGill and other universities highlight the growing activism and polarization around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on college campuses. The demonstrations are putting pressure on university administrations to take a stance on a complex geopolitical issue.

The encampment at McGill has created an organizational structure to keep people safe and holds daily general assembly meetings. SPHR representatives say they will not be intimidated by threats of police intervention. "The university has decided to call the cops on its own students," said a protester. "We will not leave until our demands are met." McGill maintains that while peaceful demonstrations are welcome, the encampment is not authorized and reports of antisemitic behavior are concerning. The university says it will continue to evaluate options while advocating for a peaceful resolution.

Key Takeaways

• Pro-Palestinian students at McGill University continue encampment protest.
• Quebec court rejects injunction to remove protesters, cites lack of urgency.
• Protesters demand McGill divest from companies with Israeli business interests.
• Protests spread to other Canadian and U.S. university campuses.
• Protests highlight growing activism and polarization around Israeli-Palestinian conflict.