Pro-Palestinian protest encampment established at UBC
Pro-Palestinian protesters have established an encampment at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver in solidarity with the people of Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Protest spokesperson Naisha Khan says the demonstrators are also calling on the school to divest from a variety of companies they say are complicit in the war since the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
"We're at over 200 days of the genocide in Gaza and so we're all just very, very moved or very angered by what's happening and the lack of action from the university," Khan told CTV News on Monday.
The protesters erected tents outside the UBC Alma Mater Society building starting at 5 a.m. ahead of a rally planned for noon.
The university says it is monitoring the encampment and liaising with the local RCMP as the situation develops.
The RCMP University detachment said it would not comment on the protest Monday, referring all questions to the university administration and campus security.
"UBC values freedom of expression and respects peaceful protest," UBC spokesperson Matthew Ramsey said in a statement.
"We understand that some in our community want to protest the violence and war they see unfolding," he added. "These actions must always be taken with respect for others and within the boundaries of university policy and the law."
The school says any damage to university property or risks to health and safety will be investigated.
"We also remind everyone that hate and intolerance have no place at UBC," Ramsey said. "The university must be a place of reasoned debate where conflicting views can peacefully co-exist."
Premier David Eby addressed the protest encampment during an unrelated news conference Monday.
"There are some key values at play here," Eby said. "One is obviously the university is a place of free speech, it should be a place for people to be able to express themselves, explore different ideas, to debate them – that’s part of the idea of a university."
However, the premier said it is "critical that a campus remain safe for students of all backgrounds."
"Right now, students of Jewish background are feeling particularly alone on campuses and need additional support to feel safe."
Similar protests opposing the war in Gaza have erupted on college and university campuses across Canada and United States in recent days.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Gabriela Panza-Beltrandi
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From collapsing ecosystems to artificial intelligence running wild, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the coming years.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Air turbulence: When can it become dangerous?
Flight turbulence like that encountered by a Singapore Airlines flight on Tuesday is extremely common, but there's one aspect of severe turbulence an aviation expert says can lead to serious injury.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.