Court grants U of T injunction against pro-Palestinian encampment

Court grants U of T injunction against pro-Palestinian encampment
A drone view of the pro-Palestinian encampment after a convocation ceremony at U of T in Toronto, on June 3. An Ontario judge said in a decision issued Tuesday that protesters will have until 6 p.m. on July 3 to clear the encampment.
CARLOS OSORIO/REUTERS




4RNYG35VHNHJPGUG4OXM7Q5RY4 (1).avif

The University of Toronto has been granted an injunction against a pro-Palestinian encampment, clearing the way for what the university hopes is an orderly end to a two-month long demonstration that has occupied part of its campus.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Markus Koehnen said in a decision issued Tuesday that protesters will have until 6 p.m. on Wednesday to clear the encampment. He also authorized police to arrest and remove anyone believed to be contravening the order.

The court's decision will be closely watched at other universities, including McGill University and the University of British Columbia, where encampments are still in place.



The U of T encampment began on May 2, when protesters broke through a fence the university had erected around the green space at the heart of King's College Circle. It was part of a wave of pro-Palestinian encampments that swept across university campuses in the U.S. and other parts of Canada in late April.

Open this photo in gallery:
A protester in the Pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Toronto on July 2. An Ontario court has granted an injunction to the University of Toronto to clear the encampment on school property.
CHRIS YOUNG/THE CANADIAN PRESS

University of Toronto president Meric Gertler said in a note to campus Tuesday that a letter has been sent to Toronto police requesting their assistance if the encampment is not cleared by the deadline.


"We expect those in the encampment to abide by the court order and vacate the encampment before the court-imposed deadline. Anyone who chooses to remain in the encampment after the deadline is subject to consequences under university policy and the law," Dr. Gertler wrote.

He added that the university welcomes protest and vigorous debate.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Source
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-court-grants-u-of-t-injunction-against-pro-palestinian-encampment/