Anti-Israel protesters to end encampment as UQAM meets most demands

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Protesters who erected a pro-Palestinian encampment at the Université du Québec à Montréal say they will leave the grounds now that the university has adopted a resolution meeting most of their demands.

At a news conference outside the encampment on Thursday, representatives confirmed they are satisfied with the resolution passed on Wednesday and will dismantle the camp by June 6.

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“Through our occupation and our courage, we have proved that it’s possible to establish a balance of power and achieve significant gains,” a representative for the protest said, stressing their activism will continue in other ways.

“Our departure does not mean the end of our mobilization.”

The protesters set up the encampment three weeks ago. They have been calling for the school to end ties with Israeli institutions and pledge not to create any in the future. They also want the Quebec government to close its business office in Tel Aviv.

The protesters said the encampment will be dismantled progressively, noting 100 to 200 people have taken part in it over the last three weeks.

They chose the June 6 date by which it will be completely gone because an academic council will be voting on how to implement parts of the resolution on June 4. They said the dismantlement is contingent on the vote, but they’re confident it will go their way.

Ever since the encampment was established, UQAM has maintained its foundation has no investments in weapons makers, nor does it have any student-exchange agreements or general agreements with Israeli universities.

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Earlier this week, the university was granted a partial injunction ordering the protesters to create a buffer zone between UQAM’s buildings and the camp.

In the resolution passed by its board of directors on Wednesday, the university referenced the International Court of Justice’s decisions against Israel and called for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

The university said it will ensure none of its current or future academic agreements, including with Israeli universities, will be in conflict with international human rights. It also said it will make sure its foundation has no direct investment in arms makers and that it discloses its investments each year.

Lastly, it will make an effort to receive more Palestinian academics and students, and set aside a budget to do so.

In a statement issued Thursday, the university said it welcomes the protesters’ decision to dismantle the encampment and will work with them to establish the next steps.

The university said the resolution reflects its values, such as social justice and freedom of expression, and takes into account the concerns the protesters have expressed.

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“UQAM is and remains a place for exchange and reflection,” rector Stéphane Pallage said in the statement. “I’m proud we’ve been able to maintain a dialogue with those present at the camp since it was set up on May 12.”

Spokespeople for the encampment described the resolution as a historic victory and a “highly symbolic step forward.”

Asked what message they feel it sends other universities where encampments are taking place, including McGill, representatives for the UQAM protest said they hope others now follow suit.

“To McGill, (the message) is pretty simple and clear,” said Niall Clapham Ricardo, a UQAM student and spokesperson for Independent Jewish Voices.

“Police interventions are not the way to go. Going to the courts is not the way to go,” he added. “The way we will see dismantling of camps … is by negotiating with students and by cutting ties with Israel.”

Reacting to the development in Quebec City, Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry said she stands by her stance the encampments should not be allowed.

At McGill on Thursday afternoon, members of the encampment declined to comment on the outcome at UQAM. The encampment was quiet as the campus filled with graduating students and their families looking to take celebratory photos.

A handful of protesters occupied the front steps of the university’s Arts Building, waving large Palestinian flags. Some families angled themselves to avoid having the protesters in their photos. Others specifically wanted them in the background.

Members of the encampment also wrapped a large banner around a monument where people had been posing.

“Gazan students don’t get to graduate,” it read.

jfeith@postmedia.com

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