The Montreal Police Force dismantled on Friday a pro-Palestine encampment situated in Victoria Square, located in the city’s financial district. The police action was carried out under the orders of the City of Montreal, overseen by Mayor Valérie Plante, who invoked a municipal bylaw prohibiting the unauthorized use of public spaces.
The encampment’s location was chosen strategically to exert pressure on the pension fund company CDPQ to divest from companies associated with Israel. The dismantling operation, which began at 5 a.m. and continued until after 8 a.m., included both local police and municipal workers. Protestors were allowed to retrieve their belongings, and Mayor Plante described the process as cooperative and calm. However, Emma Jaubert, one of the protestors, remarked that the police were aggressive during the operation.
Mayor Plante emphasized that while the right to protest is fundamental for Canadians, prolonged occupation of public spaces is untenable from an administrative and public perspective. Pro-Palestine encampments have notably emerged at various universities across Canada and the US, raising concerns about their potential to inflame ethnic, regional, and religious tensions. The encampment at McGill University, which began in late April, remains a point of contention. The university administration has continually endeavored to shut it down, citing concerns of divisiveness on campus.
In June, the McGill Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor released an update outlining safety concerns and proposals to the protestors, including exploring divestment from weapons manufacturers, funding scholars-at-risk, and increasing investment disclosures. These proposals were ultimately rejected. Consequently, University President Deep Saini described the encampment as an “illegal occupation rather than a peaceful protest.” Following the clearing of Victoria Square, Saini expressed hopes for similar actions at McGill’s campus.
Previously, the Superior Court of Québec denied McGill University an interlocutory injunction to dismantle the encampment on its campus, noting the absence of violence and the university’s flexibility in relocating its spring convocation ceremonies.
For further details, refer to the original report by JURIST.