Western looks at 'options' accusing pro-Palestinian protesters of illegal behaviour

Officials at Western University say they're running out of patience with protesters living in an encampment outside the student centre, but have so far refused to say how they plan to proceed.

In a statement quietly released to the university community Thursday, officials said they were watching what was unfolding at other schools, and would be exploring their options. They called the behaviour of protesters illegal and in violation of policies, accusations the students vehemently deny.  

The encampment has been in place for 52 days, and is one of several that sprung up at Canadian campuses in response to the war between Israel and Hamas. Students are demanding post-secondary institutions divest all holdings linked to Israel, including investments in weapons companies and other organizations they say violate the human rights of Palestinians.

"The encampment at Western has reached the eight-week mark, and issues are mounting. We continue to grapple with concerning behaviours — some illegal and some in violation of Western's policies," the statement signed by Vice-Provost John Doerksen and Associate Vice-President Opiyo Oloya said. 

They accuse the protesters of abusing the washrooms in the University Community Centre, using hazardous materials such as propane tanks, and further fortifying the encampment with construction materials. 

"Our property and our staff are subjected to further abusive behaviour, and as we continue to hear from other members of our community and visitors that they feel unsafe and unwelcome," the statement said.

CBC News has made numerous requests to talk to Doerksen, Oloya or President Alan Shepard to clarify the school's concerns and to understand the specifics of the allegations. All requests, including one made Friday, have been denied. 

"It's disappointing from Western's side, 52 days in, that they're not actually listening to the students," said student protester Mahmoud Elsaleh. "From their statement yesterday [Thursday], it sounds like they're threatening the students, telling them that they're going to call in the cops like they did at York."  

The encampment at York University was dismantled in early June. At the University of Waterloo, students and administrators will enter into mediated talks beginning next week, but the school has also sued some protesters for $1.5M in damages and has issued trespassing charges. 

A judge with the Superior Court of Ontario is currently reviewing an injunction request by the University of Toronto to dismantle the encampment on that campus. 

Western officials have met with students three times since they set up the camp in early May and did propose terms to address their calls for divestment, transparency and amnesty.

Students said a fourth meeting was scheduled for Friday evening, but after reading Western's latest statement, they said the school was not acting in good faith.

Elsaleh said protesters dispute Western's allegations of disrespectful behaviour toward people and the school's facilities. He also said all propane and cooking tools have been removed from the encampment. He said the university is being vindictive, and began locking the doors this week to the University Students Centre after hours, so protesters can no longer use the washrooms and access water.  

"Why are they blaming protesters for making a mess in the toilet when it is open to the public? It could be anyone," Elsaleh said. He claims the group makes every effort to ensure protesters are respectful, and to quickly address any issues security or facilities management might have. 

Meanwhile, the student group submitted a letter to Western's board of governors Thursday outlining their demands. It called on Western University to continue to commit to ethical investment practices, which it said the school has done on the climate change front. 

"Introducing an ethical screen, and reviewing existing policies, and amending the Responsible Investment Annual Report are all feasible steps that the Board of Governors can take as part of an overall commitment to fostering human rights," the letter signed by the Western Divestment Coalition said.