Trespass notice issued to encampment members at University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo says it has issued a legal trespass notice to members of Occupy UWaterloo, who set up an encampment on campus in mid-May as a protest.

The encampment, which started on May 13, is on a grassy area beside the Grad House. Group members want the university to divest of any company that supports Israel as the war against Hamas in Gaza continues.

"This notice means that members of the encampment must leave the Grad House Green immediately and must not return the encampment to university property," the university said in a statement sent to CBC News by director of media relations Rebecca Elming.

"The university has protected everyone's right to free speech and expression throughout this protest activity. This has included myriad disruptive protest actions on campus since November 2023. However, the behaviour of encampment members is becoming untenable."

The university said the group has violated the school's list of prohibited activities and policies, and "is causing greater disruption to the normal business of the university."

'No more business as usual'

The move comes after Occupy UWaterloo members went into an administration building this week and stopped a board of governors meeting. It included protesters chanting in the building and staging a sit-in outside the room where the meeting was being held.

"There will be no more business as usual," the group said in an Instagram post.

The group alleged the university was trying to intimidate them using police, emails and "a dozen surveillance cameras."

"We will not stop. We will remain steadfast and committed to our cause and the people of Palestine," the group's post said.

In an interview, Occupy UWaterloo spokesperson Nick Joseph called the trespass notice "absolutely nonsensical."

"The trespass notice will not influence our decisions moving forward whatsoever," Joseph said.

The university issued a formal notice to the encampment members on May 23, telling them to end the protest.

The school also said it added security measures to its convocation ceremonies last week, including that guests needed tickets to attend the ceremonies and bags were checked on the way in.

Earlier this month, encampment members said they got a win in their fight with the school after the university agreed to be more transparent regarding the names of the companies it invests in, both directly and through pooled funds.

Nick Joseph, spokesperson for Occupy UWaterloo, said at the time it was clear to them the "university is undoubtedly pressured by what we're doing."

While encampments at other universities have ended, including at McMaster University in Hamilton, others continue on, despite pushback by administration.

The University of Toronto is currently in the midst of seeking a court injunction to clear an encampment, while McGill University in Montreal has said it will no longer negotiate with protesters, that academic amnesty is off the table and the school is also planning disciplinary action.