(Montreal) The Montreal Police Service (SPVM) says that despite the arrest of 15 people in connection with the occupation of an administrative building at McGill University on Thursday, it does not intend to to intervene in a pro-Palestinian encampment on the downtown campus.
Thursday’s occupation, which ended with riot police firing tear gas at protesters, is an escalation in the standoff that began when demonstrators set up camp on the university lawn years ago more than a month.
SPVM agent Jean-Pierre Brabant said Friday that the police intervened because crimes were being committed, which is not the case at the camp. He would not say whether those arrested were involved in the encampment.
“As far as the encampment is concerned, nothing is going to change,” Mr. Brabant said, adding that it was up to the university to convince the court to dismantle the encampment. The Superior Court of Quebec twice rejected requests for injunctions aimed at evacuating demonstrators.
In a statement sent to the media on Friday, McGill University called these events “troubling.”
According to management’s version of events, protesters who entered the James Administration Building on Thursday “vandalized interior and exterior portions of the building, barricaded themselves inside a room, and damaged furniture”. “Some employees were forced to seek shelter from protesters who were banging on doors and making threats,” management added.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Police officers confronted protesters who had barricaded themselves in a McGill University building on Thursday.
McGill says it supports the right to freedom of expression within the limits of the law, but condemns “the use of any form of intimidation, assault and harassment or illegal tactics.”
Police said 13 people were arrested for breaking and entering and two people were arrested for obstructing police work.
Pro-Palestinian protesters set up tents on the grounds of McGill University in late April, demanding that the university end its investments linked to the Israeli military and sever relations with Israeli academic institutions. As of Friday afternoon, the encampment located in the lower grounds of the university in downtown Montreal was still in place.
Véronique Dubuc, a spokesperson for the Montreal police, acknowledged that officers used tear gas and shields to disperse demonstrators on Thursday. She said protesters threw objects and stones at police.
Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights McGill, a student group participating in the encampment, posted a statement on Instagram as Thursday’s events unfolded, promising an “escalation” of the protest movement.
“While Zionist forces massacre Palestinians in Rafah and Jabalia, our administration continues to shamelessly finance the genocide, ignoring the collective demands of the students and the encampment,” the group said. Until McGill ends all financial and academic ties with the Zionist regime, students will wage a vigorous escalation campaign. »
The institution blamed protesters for the impasse in negotiations, saying students at the encampment withdrew from talks last week.
On the social network
She said the right to protest does not justify “violence and illegal occupation of the premises” of the school. At a press conference at City Hall earlier in the day, Mr.me Plante refused to answer questions about the situation.
Mr. Brabant indicated that calm had returned to the campus, but that the police maintained a presence on Sherbrooke Street, in front of the main gates of the university.