Vancouver Island University sues Gaza protesters as deadline to leave expires
![Vancouver Island University The Vancouver Island University campus in Nanaimo is shown: (CTV News)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2021/1/13/vancouver-island-university-1-5266082-1644627831581.jpg)
Vancouver Island University says it has "regrettably" launched legal action against pro-Palestinian protesters, who it says ignored a trespass notice and a deadline to leave their encampment at the campus in Nanaimo, B.C.
The university says in a statement that it has retained external counsel and filed a notice of civil claim in the B.C. Supreme Court, seeking an injunction against the camp and damages from the protesters.
The move comes after the university last Thursday issued a trespass notice, saying legal action would be launched if the camp that has been in place since May 1 was not dismantled by 8 a.m. Monday.
The university says the encampment's "continued presence" left them disappointed and forced them to take action to ensure the safety and well-being of the campus community.
The protesters say in a post on social media platform Instagram that they remain "steadfast" and that by issuing the deadline the university chose to put students at risk, "to villainize them and punish them for using their right to protest."
They say the university is "supposed to encourage critical thoughts" but is instead threatening students.
The protesters urged supporters to phone various university numbers, including those for the president's office, to complain about "the lack of care and respect" that they say an injunction or police action would show.
The trespass notice was issued last week after an Ontario court granted an injunction against a similar camp at the University of Toronto, leading to protesters leaving, which Vancouver Island University noted.
The university said Monday that the protesters had been escalating their actions, and had engaged in vandalism, disrupted an exam and occupied various buildings.
"This decision (to take legal action) was not made lightly, but it has become necessary to ensure the university can operate effectively and that our campus remains a safe and welcoming place for all," it said on its website.
"We understand that this situation has been challenging and deeply emotional for many. We remain committed to supporting our students and employees through this difficult time and continue to encourage constructive and respectful dialogue on all issues affecting our community."
The university asked people not to call security numbers that it said were reserved for emergencies.
The camp is among a number of such protest sites at universities in Canada and the United States.
A camp at the University of B.C. in Vancouver was vacated by protesters voluntarily on July 7.
The protesters against the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza have been demanding that universities cut financial and academic ties with Israeli firms and institutions, among other things.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7008605.1724246517!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
BREAKING National rail shutdown begins as employees locked out at both major Canadian railways
Trains across the country have ground to a halt as 9,300 workers were locked out by both of Canada's major railways after they failed to agree on a new contract before a 12:01 a.m. EDT deadline.
DNC Day 3: Tim Walz accepts Democratic nomination for vice-president
Vice presidential nominee Tim Walz and former President Bill Clinton headlined the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, the third day of the party’s choreographed rollout of a new candidate, Kamala Harris, and her pitch to voters.
The first person in Canada to legally access 'magic mushroom' therapy has died at age 56
A Saskatoon man who became a trailblazer for psilocybin-assisted therapy, using a psychedelic drug commonly known as magic mushrooms, has died at age 56.
Child's phone catches fire in Cambridge, Ont. movie theatre
A mother was left shaken after her 11-year-old's cellphone suddenly caught fire while he was in a movie theatre.
Babysitter pleads guilty to manslaughter for death of man she injured when he was a baby in 1984
A former babysitter pleaded guilty to manslaughter Wednesday for the 2019 death of a man she was accused of disabling as an infant 40 years ago and was sentenced to three years in prison, finally admitting that she hit him numerous times.
Kansas mom sentenced to life in prison after her 2-year-old son fatally shot her 4-year-old daughter
Kansas mom sentenced to life in prison after her 2-year-old son fatally shot her 4-year-old daughter
Taylor Swift calls cancellation of Vienna shows 'devastating,' explains silence
Two weeks after organizers scrubbed Taylor Swift's concerts in Vienna amid a foiled terror plot, the singer issued her first statement on the cancellation.
'Intimate partner violence' led to triple homicide in McCreary: Manitoba RCMP
A 'horrific act of intimate partner violence' is what led to a triple homicide in McCreary, Man. last week according to RCMP.
Being here 'means something': Why one federal party leader is attending the DNC
While the stakes for Canada may be high in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, only one Canadian federal party leader has actually attended either the Republican or Democratic national conventions.