University of Toronto graduation ceremonies set to begin with protest in background

Convocation ceremonies for graduating University of Toronto students begin Monday against the backdrop of a pro-Palestinian encampment that has remained on campus for weeks despite a trespass notice and looming legal action.

Convocation ceremonies for graduating University of Toronto students begin Monday against the backdrop of a pro-Palestinian encampment that has remained on campus for weeks despite a trespass notice and looming legal action.

More than 30 ceremonies are scheduled to take place through June 21 and the university says all events will proceed as planned with "extra precautions."

The university sought to clear the encampment before convocation began with a request for an urgent court injunction authorizing police action to remove protesters who refuse to leave. But the judge considering the case said the earliest a hearing can be held is June 19 and 20, to give protesters a fair opportunity to respond.

That means most of the graduates and their family members attending ceremonies at the downtown campus will likely be passing by the fenced-in camp filled with tents, placards and flags. Convocation Hall faces King’s College Circle, where the encampment was set up on May 2 after protesting students breached a temporary fence the university erected around the large grassy area.

Among the exhibits and affidavits the university has filed in court so far are correspondence from students and family members who are concerned about the protest’s impact on convocation.

But protesters have said they don't see how their presence would disrupt graduation events. Sara Rasikh, an encampment spokesperson, said that fences have been present at King’s College Circle “for years” during convocations.

"The only difference this time compared to last year is that there are Palestinian flags on the fencing,” she said in an interview, adding that many students in the encampment are among those graduating this month.