The encampment was given until 8 p.m. July 7 to leave Branion Plaza
Update: On the evening of July 8, the UoGforPalestine encampment announced they would be dismantling their pro-Palestinian encampment by July 15.
On July 6, the University of Guelph gave a trespass notice to the pro-Palestinian encampment in Branion Plaza. The letter said the encampment must remove themselves and their belongings by 8 p.m. the following day.
“The letter requested a peaceful and voluntary dismantling of the encampment similar to recent activity at the University of Toronto, Western University and the University of Waterloo, by 8 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2024,” reads a statement from the University of Guelph from July 6. “Should the encampment remain, the University will pursue legal action to end and remove it permanently and restore the university as a welcoming space for everyone.”
The group occupying the space, UoGforPalestine, posted on their Instagram on July 7 detailing their opposition to this request, specifically the timeline given to the encampment by the university.
“This escalation does not come to us as a surprise – the University of Guelph has a habit of lying and throwing unreasonable deadlines at us,” the Instagram post said.
The group alleges that the University has hit them with an unexpected deadline similar to the deadline of them having to move their encampment for fire safety issues.
“This is not the first time the university has used this tactic against us,” the same Instagram post reads. “On June 3rd, when the admin blatantly lied to its student, staff, and faculty in a mass email about being fined $20,000 per day due to the encampment and repeatedly gave us arbitrary deadlines of removal of our fencing with less than 24 hours notice on May 30th.”
In a press conference on July 8, the group reiterated their Instagram statements. Other members from community groups like the U of G Muslim Student Association, (MSA), U of G Alumni and Decolonial Solidarity read their statements of solidarity with the encampment.
The representative from the MSA voiced their concerns and displeasure with the university during the conference.
“The administration’s narrative falsely portrays the participants of the encampment as a source of harassment and discrimination, whereas in reality, it is a response to these very issues,” they said.
On the evening of July 7, at 8 p.m., when the protesters were instructed to leave, community members rallied at the encampment for an evening of solidarity that included banner painting, and a movie screening.
The university released a statement on July 8 letting the public know their intentions to proceed with legal action against the protesters.
“Members of the University community are free to exercise their rights to freedom of expression through peaceful protest, but that does not extend to the indefinite occupation of University property,” the university said. “U of G campus is private property and the unauthorized occupation of Branion Plaza by the encampment is illegal. Per the Notice of Trespass, if the encampment does not disband and vacate Branion Plaza immediately, the University will seek an injunction order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.”
The notice of trespassing says the group is prohibited from occupying, entering or remaining at Branion Plaza, erecting tents or shelters, remaining on campus between 11 a.m. and 6 a.m., and gathering at the university in a way that is inconsistent with university policies.
The encampment has no plans to leave any time soon.
“If this Administration uses state violence to force the end of the People’s Plaza for Palestine, then our solidarity, our knowledge and our experience and our spirit will forever be everywhere,” an encampment representative said during the conference. “The spirit of the People’s Plaza will haunt them insistently, until they end their complicity in the occupation and genocide in Palestine. Or until the people end it for them.”
This is an ongoing story and will be updated as appropriate.