Pro-Palestinian encampment planned for U of Manitoba campus

A pro-Palestinian encampment is set for the University of Manitoba next week, as awave of protests atcampuses across Canada and the U.S. reachesWinnipeg.

The three-day encampment "in solidarity with land defenders globally" is planned for May 7-9 in the quad at the U of M's Fort Garry campus in south Winnipeg, according to online posts.

Campus protests in recent weeks at North American universitiessome of which have resulted in violent clashes between attendees and police or attendees and counter-protestersbegan at Columbia University in New York, in response to the offensive Israel launched in Gaza after adeadly attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

About 1,200 people were killed on Oct. 7, including several Canadians, while some 250 people were taken hostage, according to Israeli government tallies.

Since then, more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, according to the Health Ministry there.

The U of M protest is beingorganized byStudents for Justice in Palestine, social media posts say.

Among other things, the group is calling for the university to:

• Divestfrom companies that are "complicit in the oppression and discriminatory policies against Palestinians."
• Cease exchange programs and academic collaborations with Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which is "located in a highly contested area."
• Boycott "Israeli institutions complicit in violations of human rights."
• Issue a public statement of support for Palestinian rights.
• Discontinue the political studiescourse"Arab Israeli Conflict," which the group says perpetuates a biased narrative.
• End university-sponsoredbirthright trips to Israel, which the group says are "controversial due to their political implications."
• Implement permanent measures on campus to safeguard Palestinian students from harassment and racism, which could include regular reviews, reporting procedures, and mandatory cultural competency training for staff and students.

The U of M is aware of the planned protest encampment, a spokesperson said in a Friday statement to CBC.

The university supports academic freedom and the right to assemble and protest, in accordance with university policy and the law, the statement said.

"As with all events on our campuses, our expectation is that it will remain a safe and respectful environment."

Earlier this week, before the encampment plans had been announced, theuniversity was asked if it had prepared for potential campus protests, and aboutany U of M investments in Israeli companies or organizations.

Inastatement emailed to CBC Thursday, the university said it doesn't invest directly in individual stocks or companies, but relies on fund managers to choose investments "that align with our responsible investment policy."

No information was offered onwhat that "responsible investment policy"entails.

Organizers set guidelines

In its social media postings, Students for Justice in Palestine said the encampmentis "only for students."

It alsowarned thatinternational students "may face heightened risks," while non-U of M students risk trespassing charges.

The post also said anyone who wants to take part in the encampment must agree to aset of guidelines, which include not speaking to campus security or police, notresponding to agitators or counter-protesters, and observingthe privacy rights of other protestersby not disclosing their names or personal information.

In a Friday statement to CBC, the group said it is engaging with university administrators.

Jewish Federation of Winnipeg CEO Jeff Lieberman and Gustavo Zentner, vice-president of the Manitoba and Saskatchewan chapters of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, described the encampments as "anti-Israel" and "a problematic tactic" in a Friday news release.

However, they say they are encouragedby the University of Manitoba's active engagement with them in response to the forthcoming encampment.

Lieberman and Zentneralso say they are keeping in touch with their organizational partners, the U of Mand Winnipeg policeto ensure safety on campus.

Pro-Palestinian encampment planned for U of Manitoba campus

1 month ago

Duration 1:59

A three-day encampment organized by the group Students for Justice in Palestine is planned for May 7-9 in the quad at the U of Manitoba's Fort Garry campus in south Winnipeg, according to online posts.