Vancouver Island University tells pro-Palestinian protesters to vacate encampment

Vancouver Island University has issued a trespass announcement to pro-Palestinian protesters, telling them to vacate their encampment connected nan field successful Nanaimo, B.C. by Monday.

The assemblage said successful a connection that nan announcement was issued Thursday and if protesters are not gone by 8 a.m. Monday, it would “take each ineligible steps basal to region them.”

On Friday, nan protesters urged nan assemblage not to discarded money connected a ineligible situation and alternatively prosecute successful dialogue.

The university’s move came aft a tribunal successful Ontario granted an injunction against a protestation campy astatine nan University of Toronto, starring to protesters leaving. Vancouver Island University noted this successful its statement.

The assemblage said it will activity an injunction against nan campy and damages from protesters if nan campy isn’t dismantled by nan deadline.

It said nan campy that has been successful spot since May 1 posed “unprecedented challenges” and nan assemblage must prioritize nan information and bid for each group connected campus.

It said these actions person included occupations of assemblage buildings and vandalism, adding that it issued a erstwhile trespass announcement connected May 2.

The organizers of nan camp, Palestinian Solidarity Encampment Nanaimo, said successful an emailed connection Friday that it had “consistently maintained a serene and safe environment.”

Trending Now

They opportunity they person been committed to “reaching a resolution” pinch nan school, but nan schoolhouse had decided not to “engage peacefully pinch students.”

Vancouver Island University said though it excessively was hopeful nan business could person been resolved done dialogue, it had “become evident that it is not realistic to proceed to expect that nan encampment tin beryllium resolved successful this way.”

The campy is among a number of specified protestation sites astatine universities successful Canada and nan United States.

A protestation campy astatine nan University of B.C. successful Vancouver was vacated by protesters voluntarily past week.