Police use tear gas to break up anti-Israel protest on McGill campus, 15 arrested
Fifteen people were arrested after Montreal police (SPVM) used tear gas and other anti-rioting measures against pro-Hamas protesters at McGill University on Thursday evening.
The escalation came after protesters barricaded themselves in the administration building just a short walk from where they set up an encampment beginning in April.
Police in riot gear approached the crowd outside the building and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd around 7 pm. The crowd reformed after and used several large items like shelves and ladders to build a barricade between themselves and police, video obtained by CTV News shows.
Israel supporters brought a billboard truck displaying a website designed to appear like it promotes Hamas but highlights acts of brutality from the terrorist organization to the McGill University anti-Israel encampment.
— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) May 28, 2024
FULL REPORT by @TheVoiceAlexa: https://t.co/C2cH8ERGvM pic.twitter.com/4jCEuRQrj2
Tear gas and pepper spray were then used and the crowd dispersed.
A representative for the group leading the occupation said that the school has "repressed every institutional channel through which they expressed the student will for a policy against genocide."
Protesters have called for McGill to divest financial holdings in companies linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Police at McGill University are enforcing the law against the pro Hamas gangs. Mazol Tov pic.twitter.com/0kzo9SIBdg
— [email protected] (@neveragainlive1) June 6, 2024
The Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) said that Lockheed Martin, Elbit Systems, and Thales were all companies that they wanted McGill to divest from and boycott.
A spokesperson for SPHR McGill said that the group is not preventing anyone from leaving the building, but said there was roughly 50 to 60 protesters present and were calling for more to join.
HAPPENING NOW -- SUPPORT RALLY
— SPHR McGill (@McgillSphr) June 6, 2024
Students have taken McGill Admin Building, demanding McGill cut ties with genocide! Show up to support the students and escalate for Rafah@NationalSJP pic.twitter.com/CORAWvovD2
Police say the operation ended at around 10:30 pm and 13 people were arrested for breaking and entering. Two others were arrested for obstructing police work.
McGill University thanked the SPVM for their " expertise in handling the situation."
POLICE PULL GUN ON STUDENT PROTESTORS OCCUPYING MCGILL ADMIN BUILDING TO CALL FOR DIVESTMENT
— SPHR McGill (@McgillSphr) June 6, 2024
DIVEST FROM GENOCIDE!!
DEFUND THE POLICE!! pic.twitter.com/9fkK5C26UZ
"Some staff were forced to shelter in place while those occupying the building banged on the doors and yelled threats," the university said. "Staff working in the building reported that they heard chants of 'violence now.'"
McGill said it supports freedom of expression but condemned the use of "intimidating, aggressive, harassing or illegal tactics."
Arrests have begun inside the building at McGill: pic.twitter.com/k3WF8yBfUH
— Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) June 7, 2024
"None of this is peaceful protesting; it is designed to threaten, coerce and scare people," said the institution. "It is completely unacceptable."
Quebec Premier Francois Legault once again called for the "illegal encampment" on the McGill University downtown campus to be dismantled.
— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) May 4, 2024
FULL STORY: https://t.co/ybcv5X6LG8 pic.twitter.com/IYVQFuStLH
"McGill’s offer, which is comparable to that made by other universities who have reached resolutions, has been rejected by the encampment on our campus," it continued.
