Gaza protesters at University of Victoria say encampment will stay until demands are met
A pro-Palestinian protest camp has formed at the University of Victoria in solidarity with the people of Gaza and with similar encampments that have sprung up on university and college campuses in opposition to the Israel-Hamas war.
A statement from the group says campers are calling on the school to cut academic ties with Israeli universities and divest from companies they say are complicit in the ongoing war.
Approximately three dozen protesters and two dozen tents were inside the university's central quad area Wednesday with campus security on hand but no sign of police intervention.
"We will continue to stand our ground and the encampment will remain indefinitely until the university agrees to our demands and divests from genocide," the statement from the group said.
The protesters are also asking UVic's board of directors to publicly condemn the killing of Palestinians and to create a plan to ensure the safety of Palestinian students and their supporters on campus.
The university did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the campus protest but issued a notice saying the school supports peaceful demonstrations and free expression.
"Out of an abundance of caution, campus security may be monitoring access to buildings near the demonstration and may ask people for information prior to entering these buildings," the school said, noting campus security is working with local police to ensure the protest remains safe.
Vancouver Island University protest
The encampment comes amid a wave of protests at schools across North America as Israel's offensive in Gaza approaches its seventh month with tens of thousands of civilians killed in the fighting.
Vancouver Island University says it has been in contact with the RCMP after a protest camp cropped up at its Nanaimo campus on Wednesday morning.
The Students for Palestine Committee invited all current and former students, staff and community members to join the encampment in opposition to the war.
The university says its code of conduct for students and its expectations for staff "clearly prohibit such behaviours" if they create a safety risk or impede learning and research on campus.
"Hate speech and intolerance have no place at VIU," university spokesperson Jenn McGarrigle said in a statement. "Universities must be safe spaces that support debate where conflicting views can peacefully co-exist."
Premier David Eby addressed a similar encampment Monday at the University of British Columbia, where demonstrators have erected fencing and other barriers around a turf field near the Alma Mater Society building
The premier said all universities "should be a place for people to be able to express themselves," adding that it's "critical that a campus remain safe for students of all backgrounds."
In a statement posted online, Jewish student association Hillel BC instructed its members not to engage with the protests in any way.
The group also said it has asked UBC specifically to take "proactive measures" to prevent disruption to student life on campus.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
Scheffler detained by police at PGA Championship for not following orders after traffic fatality
Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was detained by police Friday morning on his way to the PGA Championship, with stunning images showing him handcuffed as he was led to a police car. ESPN reported he failed to follow police orders during a pedestrian fatality investigation.
Ontario sees first measles death in more than a decade after young child dies
A young child has died of measles in Ontario, marking the first death in the province from the highly contagious virus in more than 10 years, a Public Health Ontario report confirms.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Vatican revamps norms to evaluate visions of Mary as it adapts to Internet age and combats hoaxers
The Vatican on Friday radically reformed its process for evaluating alleged visions of the Virgin Mary, weeping statues and other seemingly supernatural phenomena, insisting on having the final say in whether the events are worthy of popular devotion.
Wildfires are dampening against cool, rainy weather, but there's plenty left to contain
An opportune system of cool, wet weather Friday is dampening the spread of wildfires across Western Canada, but there's still plenty of work for responders and residents alike.
5 secrets to moving better and preventing avoidable injury
Countless people seek emergency care for back pain, muscle strains and similar injuries resulting from “moving wrong” during mundane, everyday tasks such as bending over to tie shoes, lifting objects or doing household chores.
Zach Bryan and girlfriend Brianna Chickenfry are 'happy and alive' after 'traumatizing' car accident
Zach Bryan and his girlfriend Brianna LaPaglia were involved in a scary car accident earlier this week, according to LaPaglia, who recalled the experience in a candid video posted to her TikTok page earlier this week.