Two Ontario universities are warning anyone considering following the lead of pro-Palestinian student activists in the United States and elsewhere in Canada that setting up encampments on campus will not be tolerated.
The University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa say they understand that tensions are high, that many people are feeling anxious because of the extent of the suffering in the Middle East, and that peaceful protests are at the heart of life on campus and democracy.
But the institutions say they have clear policies that state that using their facilities without proper authorization can result in serious consequences and that protests must be organized within the bounds of university policies and the law.
“The grounds and buildings of the University of Toronto are private property, although the university allows broad public access for authorized activities,” wrote Sandy Welsh, vice-president of students, in an email sent Sunday to the student community.
“Unauthorized activities such as encampments or occupation of university buildings are considered trespassing. Specifically, our Student Code of Conduct prohibits intentional damage to university property, unauthorized entry and use of university property contrary to instructions, disruption of university activities, and other violations of property and people. »
Éric Bercier, associate vice-president of student affairs at the University of Ottawa, said the university had learned of a demonstration planned for Monday and warned that setting up any encampment would result in serious consequences.
“While peaceful protests are permitted in appropriate public spaces on campus in accordance with our policies and regulations, encampments and occupations will not be tolerated,” Bercier wrote in a statement posted on the university’s website. .
“We ask everyone to think carefully about their responsibilities and the well-being of our entire community. We continue to call on all members of our community to treat each other with respect and empathy when interacting in our classrooms, common spaces, and online.
By Monday afternoon, a group of activists had gathered on the Ottawa campus with lawn chairs, picnic tables and snacks, but no tents were visible.
Activists who addressed the crowd said the group would be on campus every day, from noon until night, to protest several issues, including the university’s relationship with Scotiabank.
Scotiabank has been the target of protesters in Canada since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas because of its investments in Elbit Systems Ltd., an Israeli arms company.
The warnings from the University of Ottawa and the University of Toronto – Canada’s largest post-secondary institution – come after an encampment was set up by pro-Palestinian student activists on the grounds of McGill University, in Montreal, where student activists from Concordia University also participate.
American campuses have seen a wave of protests in recent weeks linked to the war between Israel and Hamas.
On Monday, Columbia University stepped up its stance against protesters on its New York campus by sending an ultimatum to students to sign a form and leave the encampment by the afternoon or face suspension.
The first protests at Columbia, where demonstrators set up tents in the center of campus, sparked pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the United States. Students and others argue about the war between Israel and Hamas and its growing death toll. Many students are calling on their universities to cut financial ties with Israel.
Students have hunkered down in tent encampments at several prominent U.S. universities, as clashes continue between protesters and administrators at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale and others.
Asked Monday about the “ sit-ins » scheduled at the University of Ottawa, Ontario Premier Doug Ford told an independent news conference that Ontario is known for its inclusiveness.
“You know what I want? I wish everyone would get along, Mr. Ford said. Of course, there are conflicts all over the world. They want to express their opinion. And it is their democratic right. Do it peacefully. That’s all I ask. »
With files from the Associated Press and Ben Simon
