Western University has 'increasing concerns' over safety at campus pro-Palestinian encampment

CBC
·4 min read
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Western University in London, Ont., has significantly increased its security presence on-campus in light of the continued occupation of the concrete beach, a small grassy area outside the campus community centre, by pro-Palestinan protesters. (Colin Butler/CBC News - image credit)
Western University in London, Ont., has significantly increased its security presence on-campus in light of the continued occupation of the concrete beach, a small grassy area outside the campus community centre, by pro-Palestinan protesters. (Colin Butler/CBC News - image credit)

Western University issued a public statement saying it has "increasing concerns" about the safety of an ongoing occupation by pro-Palestinian protesters outside the school's community centre, which entered its sixth day on Monday.

It significantly ratchets up the tension between the school's administration and the protesters, who initially said they would hold a 12-hour protest calling for Western to divest from companies with business interests in Israel.

The growing collection of tents outside the student community centre is among numerous other encampment protests at universities across North America that began as a direct response to mounting deaths as the Israel-Hamas war rages on in Gaza.

On Monday, Western University posted a significant security presence, with at least four guards watching protesters from nearby vehicles and guards posted to every building in the vicinity.

"We have increasing concerns about the safety within and surrounding the space participants are utilizing unlawfully," said John Doerksen, Western University's vice-provost of students, in a written statement.

"The encampment is growing, and it appears that the majority of participants are not our students. We managed several safety risks over the weekend and those on site demonstrated decreased willingness to work with us and communicate productively.

"Some participants have become more confrontational, making respectful dialogue difficult."

"I think it's disappointing," New Democrat London-Fanshawe MP Lindsay Mathyssen told CBC Radio's Afternoon Drive when asked about Western's statement by host Matt Allen on Monday.

A man walks by a pro-Palestinian protest at Western University in London, Ont., Monday, which has grown to include more than two dozen tents and has taken on a family atmosphere, with young children, including toddlers and even pets.
A man walks by a pro-Palestinian protest at Western University in London, Ont., Monday, which has grown to include more than two dozen tents and has taken on a family atmosphere, with young children, including toddlers and even pets.

A man walks by a pro-Palestinian protest at Western University on Monday, which has grown to include more than two dozen tents and has taken on a family atmosphere, with young children, including toddlers, and even pets. (Colin Butler/CBC News)

"I've heard from both sides that they are concerned about safety issues. So it isn't just a one-side thing. I think it's also incumbent for the university to hear the students concerns about human rights that cannot be dismissed."

Mathyssen said the students "do not feel heard" by Western University.

"It's their money that's being used in a specific way that they don't approve of. So I think that it's incumbent upon the university to continue to have an open conversation so that these students feel heard and that they can come to a mutually agreed solution."

LISTEN | Lindsay Mathyssen's interview with Matt Allen: 

The encampment, which includes more than two dozen tents, appeared to have a family-friendly atmosphere, with several young children, including toddlers, and even pets among the on-campus occupiers.

"The encampment is growing for sure," said London doctor and protester Tarek Loubani. "And that's because as people understand what we're doing, more people want to join."

A security guard watches passersby from one of Western University's administrative buildings on Monday. The school has posted a number of guards to buildings in the vicinity of an ongoing pro-Palestinian demonstration, which continues to grow.
A security guard watches passersby from one of Western University's administrative buildings on Monday. The school has posted a number of guards to buildings in the vicinity of an ongoing pro-Palestinian demonstration, which continues to grow.

A security guard watches passersby from one of Western University's administrative buildings on Monday. The school has posted a number of guards to buildings in the vicinity of an ongoing pro-Palestinian demonstration, which continues to grow. (Colin Butler/CBC News)

The student movement began at Columbia University in New York City on April 17 before protesters were forcefully cleared by police at the request of administrators.

In Canada, encampments have also sprung up at Montreal's McGill University, the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, McMaster University in Hamilton and the University of Windsor, Ont., among others.

Signage posted in the encampment outlines participants' demands.
Signage posted in the encampment outlines participants' demands.

Signage posted in the encampment outlines participants' demands. (Arfa Rana/CBC)

"We've made it very clear we're going to be here until we have a meeting with people that actually make decisions of divestment," said Mahmoud Elsaleh, who has been staying in the encampment since it began, leaving only to go to work.

Weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin is one company listed on Western's list of investment holdings from which the protesters want the school to divest.

Western University has commented by way of written statements and has not provided CBC News with any interviews.

Occupiers of the concrete beach, a picnic area outside Western University's student community centre building, has grown to include more than two-dozen tents.
Occupiers of the concrete beach, a picnic area outside Western University's student community centre building, has grown to include more than two-dozen tents.

Occupiers of the concrete beach, a picnic area outside Western University's student community centre building, has grown to include more than two dozen tents. (Colin Butler/CBC News)

Western said in its statement that it respects free speech, and expects protesters to respect the law and Western policies.

It has reminded protesters that the campus is private property, and that demonstrations are not permitted past 9 p.m. It also said protestors must identify themselves, including showing a Western ID card, if asked by campus police.

"We expect protest activity to continue within the bounds of the law and University policies. Any behaviour outside of these parameters will be referred to the Western Special Constable Service and may be reported to the London Police Service," a statement from the university said on Saturday.

A total of 253 hostages were seized in a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which about 1,200 Israelis were also killed, according to Israeli counts. Israel's offensive has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians over the last seven months, mostly women and children, health officials in Gaza said.