MONTREAL — McGill University is once again trying to convince demonstrators who set up a pro-Palestinian encampment on its campus more than a month and a half ago to leave. In its most recent proposal sent to activists, the institution undertakes in particular to “examine” its participation in entities which derive the majority of their income from the production of military weapons.
Protesters’ tents have been set up on the McGill campus since late April, but tensions rose last week when some activists entered a university building. The event led to a major police operation, during which officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd outside and made around fifteen arrests.
The next day, McGill management denounced “the use of any form of intimidation, aggression and harassment or illegal tactics.” She said she was ready to continue negotiations with the demonstrators, but criticized them for withdrawing from the talks.
Tuesday morning, management confirmed that it had sent a new proposal to the demonstrators, saying it was “firmly committed to renewing dialogue and exchanging information transparently and in good faith.”
In its proposal, McGill first commits to examining its “direct equity interest in entities deriving the majority of their direct revenues from the production of military weapons, regardless of where they carry out their activities.” A committee will be given the mandate to conduct a comparative analysis with other universities and to initiate a “comprehensive consultation” of the student community.
Next, the university promises to disclose the investments it holds under $500,000 — investments over $500,000 are already public. Management specifies, however, that this commitment will be made “to the extent possible”.
The proposal makes no mention of ties to Israeli universities, but says McGill will make “greater space for Palestinian institutions and intellectuals,” while supporting students displaced by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East. East.
One of the encampment organizers’ demands is that McGill cut ties with Israeli universities, since they believe they are “complicit in the genocide” in the Gaza Strip.
Finally, McGill management undertakes not to impose any disciplinary sanctions on members of its community who took part in the encampment, but adds that this “amnesty” will end this Saturday.
“Let us clarify that this amnesty does not apply to certain acts that we have recently witnessed and which are currently the subject of an investigation, such as the entry of force into the James Administration Pavilion, the destruction of property , vandalism, harassment, etc.,” added management.
In a press release, McGill notes that similar proposals have led to agreements and the voluntary dismantling of camps erected on the grounds of other universities. The camp which had been set up at the University of Quebec in Montreal was notably dismantled by its participants in the last few days.
“We urge members of the McGill community participating in the encampment to agree to discuss this new proposal in good faith, with the assistance of a qualified, neutral mediator, in the hope of reaching a peaceful solution. and satisfactory for both parties,” underlined the university.
During the month of May, the Superior Court refused two requests for injunctions requesting permission to dismantle the encampment. One of these requests was filed by McGill University itself.
