The Canadian Press
Fri, May 10, 2024
CALGARY — Police in Calgary say multiple people were arrested during a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Calgary Thursday night.
Video posted on social media showed officers tearing down makeshift fencing and tents prior to protesters leaving peacefully.
In a statement, Calgary police say they were notified around 6:30 p.m. about an encampment protest on the campus, which grew to 150 protesters at its peak.
After a few hours, police say they had encouraged about 60 protesters to leave.
Around 11:15 p.m. police say the remaining protesters were removed by arrest, with the number of people arrested and facing charges expected to be released tomorrow.
Throughout the situation, police say projectiles were thrown their way, which at one point, led to officers using non-lethal munitions.
No injuries have been reported at this time.
The encampment began around 6:30 Thursday morning, with tents being set up. The number of demonstrators grew throughout the day.
The protesters, led by a group called the Calgary Student Movement, said they were objecting to the university's ties with Israeli companies and institutions.
It was one of several protests on academic campuses in Canada and the United States in response to Israel's offensive in Gaza.
A statement by the university also advised demonstrators that it respects free speech but that the campus has the right to reasonably regulate when and how it takes place.
The university noted that erecting temporary structures requires prior approval from the university and that such protests cannot remain overnight.
“Members of the campus community are free to protest but they are not free to camp,” the university said in a statement.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2024.
Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press
University of Calgary pro-Palestinian protesters pack up encampment after police threaten removal
CBC
Thu, May 9, 2024
Calgary police are on the scene at a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Calgary campus after protesters refused to leave. (Jo Horwood/CBC - image credit)
Most of the large group of pro-Palestinian protesters who had set up an encampment on the University of Calgary campus agreed to pack up and leave moments before police, with shields and riot gear, were set to begin forcibly removing them.
The police line appeared set to begin marching when one of the protesters stepped forward and told the rest of the group that, if they left, none of them would be arrested.
After some initial pushback, many of the protesters began breaking down and packing up their tents, which had been pitched outside MacEwan Hall — the home of the university's student centre.
A smaller group of protesters has remained on scene.
As the packing began, a Calgary Police Service (CPS) member assured one of the protest leaders that no one would be arrested if they left.
They were also told they could return to the university on Friday, provided they don't bring any "encampments, barricades or obstructions."
Police and protest organizers discuss breaking up a pro-Palestinian encampment late Thursday on the University of Calgary campus. The protestors packed up their supplies and left with no arrests. Most of them said they would be back on Friday.
Police and protest organizers discuss breaking up a pro-Palestinian encampment late Thursday on the University of Calgary campus. The protesters packed up their supplies and left with no arrests. Most of them said they would be back on Friday. (Jo Horwood/CBC)
Earlier Thursday evening, in a post to the social platform X, CPS said they were notified at 6:30 p.m. MT on Thursday by campus security that protesters had set up tents on the south lawn of MacEwan Hall
The post said the protesters were asked to leave and, when they refused, were informed they were trespassing. The protesters still refused to leave, CPS said, and police were then called in for assistance.
According to the student-led group behind the encampment, it has set up on campus to get the attention of the university's senior leadership, including president Edward McCauley and interim provost Penny Werthner.
Students want divestment
Like other recent university protests, those involved say students at the U of C are demonstrating to demand officials disclose and sever any ties the school has with Israel.
"We've been asking the U of C to review their investments, to make their investments more public, to make sure that we know what's going on, where the money's going, our tuition money," said Mohammad Arhaam Mukati, president and co-founder of the U of C's Palestinian Advocacy Club, who is involved with the encampment.
"They're not asking for much. What they are asking for is crucial. It's important. It's significant."
The list of demands is outlined in the statement issued by the organizing groups. They are asking the U of C to disclose all of its direct and indirect investments involving Israel.
They are also calling for a "complete and continued divestment [from] corporations that develop military technology in order to profit from wars globally, all corporations that play a role in suppressing Indigenous peoples globally and all corporations that have links to regimes under investigation by the International Criminal Court."
Further, the organizers are urging the university to adopt a definition of anti-Palestinian racism on campus with a zero-tolerance policy, and support Palestinian students' mental wellness and academic success.
CBC
Thu, May 9, 2024
Calgary police are on the scene at a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Calgary campus after protesters refused to leave. (Jo Horwood/CBC - image credit)
Most of the large group of pro-Palestinian protesters who had set up an encampment on the University of Calgary campus agreed to pack up and leave moments before police, with shields and riot gear, were set to begin forcibly removing them.
The police line appeared set to begin marching when one of the protesters stepped forward and told the rest of the group that, if they left, none of them would be arrested.
After some initial pushback, many of the protesters began breaking down and packing up their tents, which had been pitched outside MacEwan Hall — the home of the university's student centre.
A smaller group of protesters has remained on scene.
As the packing began, a Calgary Police Service (CPS) member assured one of the protest leaders that no one would be arrested if they left.
They were also told they could return to the university on Friday, provided they don't bring any "encampments, barricades or obstructions."
Police and protest organizers discuss breaking up a pro-Palestinian encampment late Thursday on the University of Calgary campus. The protestors packed up their supplies and left with no arrests. Most of them said they would be back on Friday.
Police and protest organizers discuss breaking up a pro-Palestinian encampment late Thursday on the University of Calgary campus. The protesters packed up their supplies and left with no arrests. Most of them said they would be back on Friday. (Jo Horwood/CBC)
Earlier Thursday evening, in a post to the social platform X, CPS said they were notified at 6:30 p.m. MT on Thursday by campus security that protesters had set up tents on the south lawn of MacEwan Hall
The post said the protesters were asked to leave and, when they refused, were informed they were trespassing. The protesters still refused to leave, CPS said, and police were then called in for assistance.
According to the student-led group behind the encampment, it has set up on campus to get the attention of the university's senior leadership, including president Edward McCauley and interim provost Penny Werthner.
Students want divestment
Like other recent university protests, those involved say students at the U of C are demonstrating to demand officials disclose and sever any ties the school has with Israel.
"We've been asking the U of C to review their investments, to make their investments more public, to make sure that we know what's going on, where the money's going, our tuition money," said Mohammad Arhaam Mukati, president and co-founder of the U of C's Palestinian Advocacy Club, who is involved with the encampment.
"They're not asking for much. What they are asking for is crucial. It's important. It's significant."
The list of demands is outlined in the statement issued by the organizing groups. They are asking the U of C to disclose all of its direct and indirect investments involving Israel.
They are also calling for a "complete and continued divestment [from] corporations that develop military technology in order to profit from wars globally, all corporations that play a role in suppressing Indigenous peoples globally and all corporations that have links to regimes under investigation by the International Criminal Court."
Further, the organizers are urging the university to adopt a definition of anti-Palestinian racism on campus with a zero-tolerance policy, and support Palestinian students' mental wellness and academic success.
Pro-Palestine encampment begins at the University of Calgary
CBC
Thu, May 9, 2024
Tents have been set up at the U of C as part of a protest demonstrating against the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. (Jo Horwood/CBC - image credit)
A pro-Palestinian encampment has been set up at the University of Calgary, calling on the institution to cut any ties it has with Israel, following similar demonstrations at campuses across North America in recent weeks.
According to the student-led group behind the encampment, it has set up on campus to get the attention of the university's senior leadership, including president Edward McCauley and interim provost Penny Werthner.
Like other recent university protests, those involved say students at the U of C are demonstrating to demand officials disclose and sever any ties the school has with Israel.
"We've been asking the U of C to review their investments, to make their investments more public, to make sure that we know what's going on, where the money's going, our tuition money," said Mohammad Arhaam Mukati, president and co-founder of the U of C's Palestinian Advocacy Club, who is involved with the encampment.
"They're not asking for much. What they are asking for is crucial, it's important, it's significant."
The list of demands is outlined in the statement issued by the organizing groups.
They are asking the U of C to disclose all of its direct and indirect investments involving Israel.
They are also calling for a "complete and continued divestment [from] corporations that develop military technology in order to profit from wars globally, all corporations that play a role in suppressing Indigenous peoples globally, and all corporations that have links to regimes under investigation by the International Criminal Court."
Further, the organizers are urging the university to adopt a definition of anti-Palestinian racism on campus with a zero-tolerance policy, and support Palestinian students' mental wellness and academic success.
Law enforcement called to the protest site
In a statement sent to CBC News, the U of C said it is aware that a small number of tents has been set up on campus.
"We are engaging with the individuals involved. However, temporary structures and overnight protests are not permitted," reads the statement.
"Members of the campus community are free to protest, but they are not free to camp."
According to the Calgary police, they were notified around 6:30 a.m. Thursday by campus security that several protestors had begun setting up tents on the south lawn of MacEwan Hall.
Protesters have set up an encampment at the U of C to stand in solidarity with Palestine.
Protesters have started an encampment at the university to stand in solidarity with Palestine. (Jo Horwood/CBC)
"The protestors were asked to leave, and when they refused, were trespassed," reads a statement from police.
"Despite being trespassed, the protestors refused to leave and police have been called in for assistance."
The Calgary Police Service said it is working with the university to safely resolve this situation, adding that more information will be released as it becomes available.
"This isn't the first time some sort of protest has happened," Mukati said. "I think the students there are going to persist."
Campus protests have emerged at several universities across Canada. The list includes McGill University in Montreal, the University of Toronto, the University of Ottawa and the University of British Columbia.
In late January, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ordered Israel to do everything in its power to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.
Hamas's attack on Israel last fall led to the capture of more than 250 hostages and killed around 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, the retaliatory bombing campaign and ground offensive has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians.
On Wednesday, Hillel, a global Jewish campus organization, released a statement calling on post-secondary administrators to protect all students, including Jewish students, by ensuring that campuses are free of harassment, intimidation and physical assault.
CBC News has reached out to Hillel's Calgary chapter for comment.
CBC
Thu, May 9, 2024
Tents have been set up at the U of C as part of a protest demonstrating against the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. (Jo Horwood/CBC - image credit)
A pro-Palestinian encampment has been set up at the University of Calgary, calling on the institution to cut any ties it has with Israel, following similar demonstrations at campuses across North America in recent weeks.
According to the student-led group behind the encampment, it has set up on campus to get the attention of the university's senior leadership, including president Edward McCauley and interim provost Penny Werthner.
Like other recent university protests, those involved say students at the U of C are demonstrating to demand officials disclose and sever any ties the school has with Israel.
"We've been asking the U of C to review their investments, to make their investments more public, to make sure that we know what's going on, where the money's going, our tuition money," said Mohammad Arhaam Mukati, president and co-founder of the U of C's Palestinian Advocacy Club, who is involved with the encampment.
"They're not asking for much. What they are asking for is crucial, it's important, it's significant."
The list of demands is outlined in the statement issued by the organizing groups.
They are asking the U of C to disclose all of its direct and indirect investments involving Israel.
They are also calling for a "complete and continued divestment [from] corporations that develop military technology in order to profit from wars globally, all corporations that play a role in suppressing Indigenous peoples globally, and all corporations that have links to regimes under investigation by the International Criminal Court."
Further, the organizers are urging the university to adopt a definition of anti-Palestinian racism on campus with a zero-tolerance policy, and support Palestinian students' mental wellness and academic success.
Law enforcement called to the protest site
In a statement sent to CBC News, the U of C said it is aware that a small number of tents has been set up on campus.
"We are engaging with the individuals involved. However, temporary structures and overnight protests are not permitted," reads the statement.
"Members of the campus community are free to protest, but they are not free to camp."
According to the Calgary police, they were notified around 6:30 a.m. Thursday by campus security that several protestors had begun setting up tents on the south lawn of MacEwan Hall.
Protesters have set up an encampment at the U of C to stand in solidarity with Palestine.
Protesters have started an encampment at the university to stand in solidarity with Palestine. (Jo Horwood/CBC)
"The protestors were asked to leave, and when they refused, were trespassed," reads a statement from police.
"Despite being trespassed, the protestors refused to leave and police have been called in for assistance."
The Calgary Police Service said it is working with the university to safely resolve this situation, adding that more information will be released as it becomes available.
"This isn't the first time some sort of protest has happened," Mukati said. "I think the students there are going to persist."
Campus protests have emerged at several universities across Canada. The list includes McGill University in Montreal, the University of Toronto, the University of Ottawa and the University of British Columbia.
In late January, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ordered Israel to do everything in its power to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.
Hamas's attack on Israel last fall led to the capture of more than 250 hostages and killed around 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, the retaliatory bombing campaign and ground offensive has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians.
On Wednesday, Hillel, a global Jewish campus organization, released a statement calling on post-secondary administrators to protect all students, including Jewish students, by ensuring that campuses are free of harassment, intimidation and physical assault.
CBC News has reached out to Hillel's Calgary chapter for comment.
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