Pro-Palestinian encampment dismantled at Vancouver Island University
CTV
A months-long pro-Palestinian encampment at Vancouver Island University has been dismantled following a court order, but protesters suggest more demonstrations could be on the way.
A months-long pro-Palestinian encampment at Vancouver Island University has been dismantled following a court order, but protesters suggest more demonstrations could be on the way.
Protesters had until 9:30 a.m. Sunday to get off a grassy area in the university's quad in Nanaimo, B.C. after the province's Supreme Court granted the university an injunction last week.
In a video statement posted on the protesting group's Instagram account, an unidentified protester said people in "hazmat suits" arrived when the injunction took effect and began dismantling the encampment, which has been in place for 110 days.
The court ordered that no further encampments be established within the same specific area for 150 days.
The protester in the video said as demonstrators "go on to other forms of protest, or perhaps a second encampment on a different patch of grass" they have to live with the knowledge that the university went to court to remove students rather than listen to their concerns.
The encampment was one of many that sprang up on campuses in both Canada and the United States in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, with participants demanding universities cut financial and academic ties with firms and institutions linked to Israel.
The protester said in the video statement that the site of the encampment, near the university's library and main cafeteria, had become a place of gathering for the community to raise awareness.
