Pro-Palestinian encampment arrives at University of Guelph campus

The encampment organizers have made several demands, including calling for U of G to divest from 61 companies

Pro-Palestinian encampments have finally made their way to the University of Guelph campus.

On the morning of May 21, Branion Plaza was fenced off and became the site of several tents. Banners have been placed on the perimeter of the encampment, displaying various pro-Palestinian messages.

Similar encampments have been popping up at universities across North America. Universities such as Columbia University, McGill University, and the University of Manitoba have all had their own encampment over the last month. They all have similar demands – for universities to divest their investments in companies which the protestors allege support the Israeli military, both in the ongoing war in Gaza, and in actions leading up to the war.

Similar encampments have popped up at University of Toronto, McGill University and University of Waterloo. [*Photo by: Taylor Pipe*]

At the University of Guelph, UoGforPalestine has been protesting and calling for divestment since January, when they put banners on display in various locations around campus. In the following months, there were multiple protests including a sit-in at the University Centre, which was met with a smaller, silent counter-protest from pro-Israel supporters and members of the Jewish community.

“For several months, we have been pushing for divestment and having our voices heard and taking a stand against this genocide all we have experienced is suppression, censorship and structural gaslighting from this institution,” said Waida Mirzada, organizer of the encampment and media representative for UoGforPalestine.

UoGforPalestine is calling for the University to divest from companies that support the Israeli offensive. [*Photo by: Taylor Pipe*]

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”.

A report written by UoGforPalestine was included a press release. The report states that the group had filed an FOI, (Freedom of Information) request. This request asked the university to disclose what equities they are invested in and to disclose how many shares the university held in each equity.

“After months and months and months of us trying to ask for a freedom of information act on their entitlements portfolio, they not only prolong the process… all that they gave us was a list of companies but they withheld information in regards to the number of shares and how much monetary value was actually invested in these companies that are complicit,” said Mirzada.

Views from The Lookout on campus show the inside of the encampment. [*Photo by: Taylor Pipe*]

The same report outlined the specifics of UoGforPalestine’s demands.

The group demands that:

The University of Guelph gives complete disclosure of all its investments and how many shares it has in each company in its endowment portfolio, the university divest from all arms, defence, and military contractors.
The University of Guelph divest from all companies directly complicit in the genocide and subsidization efforts of the Israeli occupation.
The University of Guelph ends any and all existing partnerships with Israeli universities, institutions and companies and commits to an academic boycott.
The University of Guelph end its blatant disregard for students being targeted by anti-Palestinian racism, anti-Arab racism and Islamophobia and to adopt the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association’s (ACLA) definition of anti-Palestinian racism within its institutional framework,
The University of Guelph reject and end all suppression of pro-Palestinian activities on campus – among students, staff and faculty – including amnesty for the students at the People’s Plaza for Palestine.

The report listed several companies involved in supporting the Israeli military, such as: Ford, Honeywell, Boeing, General Motors, McDonalds, Amazon, Pizza Hut and Cisco Systems Inc., in addition to a number of lesser known companies.

“Why is an academic institution investing in arms manufacturers?” Mirzada asked.

Many members of alumni support the group and their right to protest. [*Photo by: Taylor Pipe*]

On the same day the encampment began, the University of Guelph released a statement written by President Charlotte Yates. The statement said that the university is monitoring the unauthorized encampment and has been in contact with protesters to remind them of campus policies.

“Encampments go against University policies and are not permitted as they entail health and safety risks for individuals in the encampment and for other members of the community,” the statement reads.

“Safety and security is like our number one protocol here and ensuring that everyone who enters here is following community guidelines and is respectful,” Mirzada said. “We’re also still maintaining COVID guidelines as well.”

In the same statement, the university said it has a steadfast commitment to freedom of speech on campus. They also mentioned that the university received a divestment submission under its Special Action Policy and that it is being reviewed in accordance with University processes and procedures.

The cannon is painted with pro-Palestine messaging. [*Photo by: Taylor Pipe*]

Mirzada said that the pro-Palestinian encampment will stay as long as there is a need for it.

“Until our divestment demands are met, we will not stop,” she said.

This article represents initial reporting and will be followed shortly with more in depth coverage. If you or anyone you know would like to talk to The Ontarion about your experiences or have questions you would like to see answered, please contact our Editor-in-Chief at tpipe@theontarion.com