Demonstrators who set up a pro-Palestinian encampment in an outdoor courtyard at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) denounce that the changes they will have to make to their encampment under an injunction amount to a “disguised” dismantling.
In a press release published Tuesday morning, the organizers of the camp deplored that the management of UQAM had chosen to turn to the courts so that modifications could be made to the camp, even if, according to their statements, solutions had been put in place forward to ensure the safety of the premises.
In their opinion, by judicializing the process, UQAM has chosen to divert attention from the substance of the question towards formalities “which only facilitate political profiling” of students and “prevent any real dialogue”.
Monday, the Superior Court granted in part the request for a provisional injunction filed by UQAM so that changes be made to the camp, which has been installed since May 12 near the Pierre-Dansereau Science Complex.
UQAM was not asking for the complete dismantling of the encampment, but rather was looking for markers to ensure free movement in this sector.
Sensitive to the university’s concerns regarding site security, Superior Court Judge Louis-Joseph Gouin ordered the demonstrators to make several changes to their encampment, including clearing a two-meter space with buildings and removing objects that block windows and surveillance cameras.
In his judgment, he argued that “these security measures will not interfere with the exercise of the defendants’ right to freedom of expression, including the right to demonstrate,” but the camp organizers do not agree with this interpretation.
“We consider that UQAM’s request for a provisional injunction, although it does not require dismantling of the encampment, imposes restrictive measures which amount to a “disguised” dismantling,” they argued in their declaration.
“However, we will do our best to comply with the orders, taking into account our capacities and available material resources, while guaranteeing the safety of all. But, it is important to note that some factors are beyond our control,” they noted.
Under the provisional injunction, valid until June 6, the demonstrators must also allow representatives of UQAM and the Montreal Fire Department to visit the encampment so that they can check the security of the premises.
Monday evening, the Union of Professors of UQAM and the Union of Professors and Teachers of UQAM, affiliated with the CSN, also affirmed that they disagree with the legal path taken by UQAM in this file.
In its own reaction to the judgment, UQAM said it was counting on the people targeted by the injunction to respect it.