Pro-Palestinian encampment coming to the University of Manitoba next week
A pro-Palestinian encampment is expected to be set up at the University of Manitoba next week, in light of similar protests across Canada and the United States.
According to online posts, the encampment will take place at the U of M’s Fort Garry campus quad in Winnipeg from May 7 to 9, running from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day.
The three-day event will be hosted by U of M students advocating for justice in Palestine in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Organizers are asking participants to stand together “in solidarity with land defenders globally.”
The planned encampment at the U of M is part of a growing movement across post-secondary campuses in North America, with some resulting in violent clashes between protesters, counter-protesters and police. The rallies initially began at Columbia University in New York in response to Israel’s retaliation following a deadly attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.
According to the social media posts, the encampment at the U of M is not open to the general public and only students who attend the university are allowed to participate.
The group’s demands include implementing safety measures for all Palestinian students to protect them against harassment, as well as allowing students to engage in activities supporting Palestine “without fear of unwarranted academic or legal consequences.”
Organizers are also calling on the university to “join the global academic boycott of Israeli institutions complicit in violations of human rights,” and cease any operations and exchange programs with Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as it is “located in a highly contested area.”
Other demands include:
- Divesting from companies “that are verifiably complicit in the oppression and discriminatory policies against Palestinians”
- Discontinuing the “Arab Israeli Conflict” course, since it is “structured in a manner that perpetuates a biased narrative and glaringly omits comprehensive Palestinian viewpoints”
- Issuing a public statement of support for Palestinian rights
- Terminating university-sponsored Birthright trips to Israel
In a statement to CTV News, the university said it is aware of next week’s planned encampment.
“UM supports academic freedom, the rights of our entire campus community to engage in freedom of expression and the right to assemble and protest, in accordance with university policies and the law,” the statement reads.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and Jewish Federation of Winnipeg issued its own statement on the matter, saying both organizations are working with U of M, as well as the Winnipeg Police Service “to ensure the safety of Jewish students on campus.” They will also be monitoring any incidents of antisemitism and hate speech.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Man throws flaming liquid on New York City subway, burns fellow rider
A man set a cup of liquid on fire and tossed it at fellow subway rider in New York City, setting the victim's shirt ablaze and injuring him.
At least 9 dead in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after severe weather roars across region
Powerful storms killed at least nine people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where drivers took shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
As Canada warms, infectious disease risks spread north
Cases of Lyme disease have now increased more than 1,000 per cent in a decade as the warming climate pushes the boundaries of a range of pathogens and risk factors northward.
12 people injured after Qatar Airways plane hits turbulence on way to Dublin
Twelve people were injured when a Qatar Airways plane flying from Doha to Dublin on Sunday hit turbulence, airport authorities said.