15 arrested following pro-Palestinian occupation of McGill building

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Montreal police on Friday said they arrested 15 people in the wake of what they described as the “illegal” occupation on Thursday by pro-Palestinian protesters of an administration building at McGill University’s downtown campus.

A total of 13 people were arrested for breaking and entering in connection with the occupation of an office at the James Administration Building, while two others were taken into custody for obstructing a police officer. All of those arrested were released after signing a promise to appear in court.

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Thursday’s demonstration began at about 4:30 p.m. as protesters announced on social media they had occupied the building, and finished at about 10:30 p.m.

Over the course of those six hours, riot police used tear gas and shields against protesters who were carrying sections of scaffold as a makeshift barricade, windows were smashed and graffiti was sprayed on university property. Some protesters broke away from the occupation to march through heavy rain along Sherbrooke St. W., overturning traffic cones as they did so.

In a communiqué issued Thursday night, protesters said they were responding to a call for action in the wake of increased violence in the city of Rafah in Gaza, and repeated their demand that McGill University cut all ties with Israel.

In a statement issued early Friday, McGill University thanked Montreal police “for their expertise in handling the situation.”

It added Thursday’s occupation was “the latest escalation in a series of incidents that have occurred since April 27, when the encampment first appeared on McGill’s lower field.”

“McGill supports the right to freedom of expression within the limits recognized by law,” the statement reads. “We strongly condemn the use of intimidating, aggressive, harassing or illegal tactics such as those seen yesterday… None of this is peaceful protesting. It is designed to threaten, coerce and scare people. It is completely unacceptable.”

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In its statement, the university said protesters “blockaded several entry doors, using chains or furniture, and attempted to remove inner doors to access offices. They vandalized parts of the exterior and interior of the building and locked themselves in one room and damaged furniture.

“Protesters also attempted to build a barricade outside the building but police quickly dismantled it. Some staff were forced to shelter in place while those occupying the building banged on the doors and yelled threats. Staff working in the building reported that they heard chants of ‘violence now.’”

In an email to McGill staff, university president Deep Saini asked that James building staff work from home Friday as the clean up and police investigation continued.

“I want to add that I am deeply disappointed to have to write this message to you today,” he wrote. “We are seeing tactics that go far beyond the right to protest, and that infringe squarely — and worryingly — on the rights of our community members to a peaceful environment, free from intimidation and from harassment.”
Meanwhile, a Montreal police spokesperson said early Friday that the police department’s position on the encampment has not changed.

Const. Jean-Pierre Brabant said Thursday’s intervention was sparked by a criminal act — the occupation of the James building — and that while police were continuing to monitor the camp on Friday, no intervention there is planned.

Police have stated repeatedly that they are monitoring the encampment and are prepared to act in the event that the safety of the public or the protesters themselves is threatened, or if a criminal act takes place.

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