Since May 21, protesters have been using the space in Branion Plaza as an encampment to call for the divestment of university funds that support the war in Gaza.
During this time, the group has hosted Shabbat dinners, a reading group, discussions about colonial oppression and a fiction writing workshop.
A post on the UofGforPalestine instagram page on May 31 indicated progress toward a resolution between the university and UofGforPalestine, though the resolution has fallen short of what the protesters would accept.
The post on the UofGforPalestine instagram page said that “in exchange for dismantling the encampment and no further disruptions, they offered us disclosure, amnesty, and scholarships and bursaries for students ‘affected by conflict’ and anti-racism ‘training modules’ without a working definition of Palestinian racism.”
The protesters declined the university’s offer.
The post continued, “They offered zero commitment to divestment. They said this would only be handled through the Special Action Policy Act, which was submitted before the encampment was established and before we had updated information on the university’s investments.”
Since then, there has been confusion surrounding the encampment and potential fire safety issues.
On May 31, the encampment was told by Guelph Fire Services to dismantle as one section of the encampment was creating a fire hazard.
A post on UofGforPalestine’s Instagram shows a fire inspection order. The order states that the inspection occurred on August 25, 2020, although the encampment began in May 2024.
The Ontarion reached out to Guelph Fire Services but did not hear back in time for publication.
The order is marked up with question marks by the protesters, who gave the inspection a failing grade of F, for “funding genocide.” The order said the encampment must be dismantled within 24 hours.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has determined that South Africa’s application alleging genocide are plausible, but has fallen short of making a ruling determining Israel’s actions genocide, per the definition used by the court. However, the ICJ has issued multiple orders that Israel avoid actions “which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part”.
The post accompanying the order alleged that the university is using this tactic on purpose to get them to leave their encampment site.
“To comply with the order, the University communicated with members of the encampment yesterday to inform them that they will need to move their tents and personal belongings a further 10 feet away from Zavitz Hall,” said a statement by the University on May 31.
More than 72 hours after the inspection order was made, protesters had not moved.
On June 3, the university released a letter from president Charlotte Yates in regards to the encampment, and the order by Guelph Fire Services.
“As of this morning members of the encampment have not moved all the tents and personal belongings that are obstructing the evacuation pathway,” the letter said. “The University is being fined $20,000 per day for non-compliance.”
On June 4, protesters held a press conference in response to the university. Their goal was to communicate specifics about fire safety, negotiations and the university’s disclosure of their investments.
During the conference, the group told the media that the university was not being fined yet.
“The fire department has confirmed that no fines are currently being issued to the university. We confirmed this with the fire marshal ourselves yesterday,” said Firoza Saroqi, media spokesperson and member of UofGforPalestine.
“Guelph Fire Services agreed late yesterday to provide an extension to the deadline to comply,” said a release by the University of June 4. “The University has not received any fines to date.”
Protesters moving the edge of their encampment to comply with fire safety code. (Photo by: Patrick Sutherland)
Ultimately, the group moved their encampment to create a walkway alongside Zavitz Hall, in order to maintain fire safety.
The group also alleged that fencing was strategically placed around their encampment. However, a University of Guelph release from May 27 said these fences are due to summer construction and will be up from late May until August.
UofGforPalestine said the universities “incessant intimidation tactics” prevent the group from their main goal: divestment.
A report published by UofGforPalestine said the university has $50 million in shares in companies that support the Israeli military.
“We refuse to wait for an intermediary process that makes recommendations to a committee that then makes recommendations to another committee and so on,” said Waida Mirzada, organizer and member of UofGforPalestine. “We demand divestment now.”
Mirzada confirmed they will not be ending the encampment anytime soon.
“Until we get a commitment to divestment, we will be here,” she said.
