Pro-Palestinian protesters have occupied McGill University’s James Administration building in downtown campus. The university released a statement confirming the occupation but did not provide details on the identity of the protesters. The presence of a barricade outside the building was also confirmed, with police and security services on-site to evaluate the situation. Montreal police stated that they were observing the situation and not intervening at the moment. Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights McGill (SPHR McGill), a group part of a tent encampment asking for divestment from Israel, called for support for those inside the building.
SPHR McGill described the protesters as an autonomous group of students demanding McGill cut ties with genocide. The occupation of the administration building comes after weeks of protests and demonstrations on campus, with tents pitched on the lower field since April 27. McGill previously attempted to obtain a provisional injunction to address the situation at the encampment but failed to convince a Superior Court judge of its urgency. A previous injunction request by two McGill students was also rejected. The protests are part of a broader movement across universities in the United States in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, with McGill students demanding divestment from Israel.
The occupation of the administration building is a continuation of the ongoing demonstrations and protests on the McGill campus. The protesters have called for cutting ties with genocide and have garnered support from various groups both on and off-campus. The situation is being monitored by police and security services, with no intervention at the moment. The protesters remain barricaded inside the building, with the situation unfolding as tensions rise on campus. The demonstrations reflect a growing concern and advocacy for Palestinian rights and calls for universities to divest from companies associated with oppressive regimes.
As the occupation continues, the protesters have made their demands clear and are receiving support from various organizations and individuals. The encampment and occupation have been ongoing for weeks, with no resolution in sight. McGill University faces mounting pressure to address the concerns of the protesters and take action on divestment from Israel. The situation remains tense, with the potential for further escalation as the protesters remain inside the administration building. The protests highlight the need for universities to address human rights issues and align their investments with ethical considerations.
