Pro-Palestinian encampment continues as Western University claims commitment to talking

Western University officials met with student protesters for the second time since an encampment was erected 28 days ago, with both sides expressing different versions of what was accomplished. 

The meeting was held Tuesday, five days after discussions fell apart because students said they were not allowed to bring a faculty advisor into the room. Western's administration called this recent meeting, which had a advisor present, "productive" with plans in the works to continue talking. 

"The conversation was productive, and we aim to meet again this week to agree upon several proposed activities that align with Western's mission as a university," wrote Vice Provost of Students John Doerksen in a statement.

Since the protest began May 1, Western University has communicated information to the public through blog posts on its website, refusing request for interviews and not responding to any questions from CBC News. Other university officials are speaking publicly, with some presidents explaining why decisions are being made. 

"During our meeting, we reinforced Western's support of peaceful protest, and we outlined the ways in which the current encampment is not within those boundaries," Doerksen's statement said.

Some examples of how the protests have crossed boundaries included student-led campus tour groups being followed and chanted at, the university said.

"Both high school students and student tour guides reported feeling frightened and shaken by this aggressive behaviour. Finally, we continue to hear from members of our community who say this is no longer the welcoming place they've known, and they don't feel safe coming to campus," the statement said. 

Other universities respond to protests

The University of Toronto has filed for a court injunction to evict pro-Palestinian protesters encamped on the school's downtown campus, with the student-led demonstrators saying they won't leave until their demands are met.

At McMaster University, the encampment was taken down this week after students and the administration came to an agreement on full disclosure of direct and pooled investments, to be made available in the fall. 

The protesters at Western, who have recently begun calling their group the Western Divestment Coalition, said they are disappointed with the administration's leadership, and have not had their expectations met.

"The updates proposed by the Administration ...include no framework for accountability, no explicit commitments regarding the students' demands, and no path towards divestment," the coalition wrote in a statement following the meeting.

The coalition, which includes Londoners who are not students at Western, pointed to the recent bombings in Rafah where Israeli airstrikes on tent camps have led to global condemnation. 

The student reiterated that their objective is for the university to disclose its investment portfolio and stop contributing to companies that have ties to Israel. 

"[We] urge them to make a commitment towards a concrete action plan without delay, demonstrating the kind of leadership and ethical responsibility our community expects and deserves, and look forward to seeing Western come to the table with genuine proposals for change," the protesters wrote. 

For its part, Western said it plans to keep the lines of communication open with the intention of peacefully ending the encampment. A date for a futre meeting has not been set.