U of T issues trespass notice to pro-Palestinian encampment

As it said it would, the University of Toronto issued a trespass notice to a pro-Palestinian encampment at 4 p.m. Friday.

Those gathered at the encampment now have until Monday at 8 a.m. to leave, before the school pursues "consequences under University policies and the law."

Potential academic consequences include a five-year suspension or expulsion.

Occupying the "King's College Circle has been and remains unauthorized," said U of T in a news release announcing the trespass notice had been issued.

"The fundamental principle of inclusion — one that extends to physical space on our campuses — has been violated," the university statement said.

On Thursday afternoon, U of T president Meric Gertler gave protesters 24 hours to accept the school's latest offer and dismantle the encampment or the university would issue a trespass notice.

The encampment's spokespeople responded Friday morning, saying the school has a "predetermined outcome" in mind when it comes to the demonstration — now in its fourth week.

The latest offer from the U of T administration would not end partnerships with Israeli universities, but it invites students to attend the university's business board of governing council's meeting on June 19 to present their demands. It would also establish a working group to consider options for disclosure and increased transparency of investments.

"That is an ultimatum," said encampment organizer Kalliopé Anvar McCall, a fourth-year U of T student in diaspora studies, at a news conference at the encampment Friday morning.

"They're trying to force us to accept these outrageous terms by threatening to clear us out at the same time."

Dozens of students, staff and faculty have been occupying a green space at King's College Circle on the university's St. George Campus in downtown Toronto since May 2. They've set up tents and canopies in solidarity with other encampments at universities throughout North America, calling for an end to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

U of T Occupy for Palestine is calling for the post-secondary institution to reveal a complete list of its endowment's investments and divest from assets that "sustain Israeli apartheid, occupation and illegal settlement of Palestine."

They are also demanding the school cut ties with Israeli academic institutions that operate within the occupied West Bank, which the university has said more than once it will not do.

Organizers criticized the university for its negotiation tactics — particularly, speaking to media outlets, including CBC Radio's Metro Morning, rather than directly with U of T Occupy for Palestine.