McGill University says a protest on Thursday that ended with 15 people arrested was a 鈥渢roubling鈥� event in a series of escalating incidents since pro-Palestinian demonstrators set up an encampment on campus more than a month ago.
In a statement to media on Friday, the university says protesters occupied its administration building, blockaded several doors, damaged furniture and yelled threats, forcing some staff to shelter in place.
McGill says it supports the right to freedom of expression within the limits of the law but condemns 鈥渢he use of intimidating, aggressive, harassing or illegal tactics such as those seen yesterday.鈥�
Police say 13 people were arrested for breaking and entering and two people were arrested for obstructing police work, after officers in riot gear used chemical irritants to forcefully disperse the crowd.
In response to the war between Israel and Hamas, Pro-Palestinian protesters set up tents on McGill鈥檚 lower field in late April, demanding the university pull its investments tied to Israel鈥檚 military and sever relationships with Israeli academic institutions. As of Friday morning, the encampment on the university鈥檚 lower field, in downtown Montreal, remained.
V茅ronique Dubuc, a spokesperson for Montreal police, acknowledged officers used tear gas and shields to disperse protesters on Thursday. Protesters, she said, threw objects and rocks at the officers.
Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights McGill, a student group participating in the encampment, posted a statement on Instagram as Thursday鈥檚 events unfolded, promising an 鈥渆scalation鈥� of the protest movement.
鈥淎s the Zionist forces massacre Palestinians in Rafah and Jabalia, our administration continues to shamelessly fund genocide, ignoring the collective demands of the student body and the encampment,鈥� the group said.
鈥淯ntil McGill cuts all financial and academic ties with the Zionist regime, students will carry out a forceful campaign of escalation.鈥�
McGill blamed protesters for an impasse in negotiations, saying students at the encampment 鈥渨alked away from table鈥� last week.
Const. Jean-Pierre Brabant said Friday that calm on campus has been restored but police are maintaining a presence on Sherbrooke Street, in front of McGill University鈥檚 lower field.
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