A week of camp at the University of Toronto: “We’re here for the long term” | Middle East, the eternal conflict

A week after the installation of a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of Toronto campus, discussions between the demonstrators and the establishment are making little progress. If on the one hand, we are still asking for divestment from Israel, on the other, we are seeking above all to ensure the security of the places.

The first demonstrators set up their tent on the lawn of the circle King’s College early in the morning last Thursday. In one week, the number of tents almost doubled, from 55 to around 104, according to one of the group’s spokespersons, Erin Mackey. From 200 to 250 people sleep at the camp.

There is a very, very large community at the University of Toronto who are putting all their efforts into this event.testifies Kalliopé Anvar McCall, who also represents the protesters.

The students and professors who are part of the movement demand in particular that the University of Toronto put an end to any investment linked Israeli apartheid, occupation and illegal settlements in Palestine.

According to the representatives, however, no discussion took place on the subject. Discussions with the administration, however, made it possible to restore access to a bathroom at night.

Erin Mackey however added that the group does not feel like discussing again unless the discussions are about requests. The university told us “no”, they were not ready to do thatdid she say.

In the morning, the vice-rector Sandy Welsh raised concerns about the presence of firewood, hate messages and the large number of people in the fenced encampment.

We look forward to resolving these issues and moving to substantive discussions as soon as possibleindicated Ms. Welsh. The university’s graduation ceremonies, which span several weeks, will begin June 3 in front of the camp site.

In response to comments from Premier Doug Ford who wants institutions to end encampments, Erin Mackey says protesters know that the police are violent. If there is an escalation because of the police, it will be because the university allowed itshe says.

Protesters are being monitored, says professor

Citing University of Toronto experts, Professor Robyn Maynard — one of dozens of professors who regularly attend the camp — says police are also monitoring students, employees and faculty members present at the camp.

Security experts at the university confirmed to us that Toronto police are doing audio and video surveillance and are likely doing facial recognitionsays the professor who studies, among other things, police violence.

Toronto police deny they are carrying out surveillance. Unless there is a security issue, the active presence of the police at the camp will only take place at the request of the universitywrites the spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, Stephanie Sayer.

The police department is nevertheless investigating three events at the encampment. The last, on May 5, involved a man who was allegedly surrounded by people in the camp before being attacked.

Wednesday afternoon, Radio-Canada observed two vehicles from the University of Toronto security service around the encampment.

We are here for the long term

Students at the camp suggest they have no plans to leave the area anytime soon. The people who are temporarily installed there, they say, have canceled trips and work to stay there.

We are here for the long term. We are not going to move and I hope the university understands that since I think they are seeing if we are going to leave on our own or become tired. We are very well settled. We are not going to move until our demands are met.

Sara Rasikh, another spokeswoman, said that if the university does not meet their demands, the protest group would intensify his pressures. We have been using gentler means of pressure, like steps, for six months and they are not meeting our demandsshe says.

Professor Robyn Maynard, for her part, clarified that there is enormously of support for the protesters among the faculty. Around a hundred teachers regularly visit the camp.