TORONTO: Protesters dismantled a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Toronto (UofT) ahead of a 6pm deadline on Wednesday following a court injunction obtained by the university, which mandated the clearance of the site.

Throughout the day, protesters dismantled their structures from the encampment as Toronto police urged them to leave voluntarily to avoid enforcement action.

The encampment, established on the university’s St. George campus on May 2, was set up to protest against the ongoing conflict in Palestine and to call for the university to divest from companies profiting from Israel’s offensive in Gaza, as well as to end partnerships with Israeli academic institutions that activists say are complicit in the conflict.

Addressing a news conference just before the deadline, encampment organiser and recent graduate Mohammad Yassin said that the decision to leave was made to avoid police violence.

Structures dismantled after police urge activists to leave voluntarily to avoid action

“We refuse to give the Toronto Police Service any opportunity to brutalise us,” Yassin said. “We are leaving on our own terms to protect our community from the violence the University of Toronto is clearly eager to unleash upon us.”

Despite the end of the encampment, Yassin stated it was still a victory for the demonstrators. “Our encampment may be leaving this physical space, but our fight will continue in the hearts and minds of everyone who believes in human dignity and justice,” he said.

Meanwhile, UofT President Meric Gertler expressed relief that the protesters had ended the encampment peacefully. “Members of our community continue to be free to exercise their right to free speech and lawful protest at the University of Toronto,” Gertler said.

Moreover, a statement from the university said: “We support the right to peaceful protest, but it must be conducted in a manner that does not disrupt the university’s primary functions or pose safety risks.”

The protest has sparked a broader conversation about the role of universities in political activism and their investments. While the encampment has been cleared, the protesters have vowed to continue their advocacy through other means, ensuring that their voices remain heard in the ongoing discourse on Palestine.

When asked if discussions with the university were ongoing, Yassin said negotiations had been stalled for some time. Protesters had sent a settlement offer to the court, but the university responded with a counter-offer that was less favourable than previous proposals, he added. “Let us be clear — the university will disclose its investments, divest from companies profiting from Palestinian suffering and deaths, and cut ties with academic institutions linked to the Israeli war machine.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2024