McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment

McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.

McGill University has filed an urgent request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment dismantled from its campus.

Citing health and safety concerns associated with the "unprecedented" encampment that was set up on April 27, the university is asking the judge to grant a temporary injunction and authorize Montreal police to "arrest and remove any person" who violates the judgment. It is also seeking a permanent injunction to prevent anyone from setting up another encampment on its campus.

For nearly two weeks, members of the encampment have been calling on the university, as well as Concordia University, to divest from companies protesters claim are "funding Israeli genocide" in Gaza.

Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR), one of the groups representing the encampment, said in a statement early Friday evening that "We condemn McGill University’s shameful actions that demonstrate they will mobilise police violence on its own students and community to prioritise profit and donor money."

Representatives held a news conference at McGill on Friday evening and said they would remain on site until their demands are met.

A previous injunction request, filed by two McGill students, failed after a judge ruled it would infringe on the protesters' right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.