Police dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment at York University

A day after it was erected, Toronto police have dismantled a pro-Palestinian encampment set up at York University.

In a statement issued Thursday, protesters said that at 8 a.m., police "violently" cleared the encampment. The statement goes on to say that the university's administration sent an email Wednesday night asking about establishing a dialogue with protesters, but before talks could happen, police were called in.

At a rally held near the school Thursday, demonstrator Somar Abuaziza said protesters "didn't have the time to respond back to the administration.

"We have a negotiating team who was ready to email and let them know that we are willing to sit down and have a conversation, and we did not have that time," said Abuaziza, the vice president of campaigns and advocacy for the York Federation of Students.

The protesters's statement says demonstrators continue to demand that the university disclose and divest from any investments in companies profiting from Israel's offensive in Gaza, alongside other requests.

The university, meanwhile, said in its own statement Thursday that on Wednesday morning, a group of people "unknown to the university" set up tents in the Harry W. Arthurs Common at the school's Keele campus "despite efforts by York security indicating that they were not allowed to do so."

"Those who set up the encampment have now received a trespass notice due to their unauthorized use of campus grounds," the statement read.

The university also said people involved in the encampment "left peacefully," and school employees are clearing the site.

"Toronto Police Service presence was requested by the University to ensure the safety of all concerned," the school said.

"York supports the rights of our community members to advocate for the views they hold and will continue to actively seek to engage in respectful dialogue about challenging topics."

Police move in

Toronto police said in a statement that the university served a trespass notice to protesters Thursday.

"York University reached out yesterday to request police assistance after making it clear that encampments on their property are not permitted," the statement reads.

Police say that officers acted Thursday morning at the university's request, and under the Trespass to Property Act. 

Police spokesperson Stephanie Sayer said there was "no violence whatsoever" used in clearing the encampment. Demonstrators were given 10 minutes to leave after the notice was issued, she said.

About 40 protesters left the encampment Thursday, while one person returned and was arrested, according to police.

That person was given a ticket, police said.

"It is noteworthy that the Toronto Police asserted that they will not be raiding the Occupy UofT encampment but did not hesitate to attack the York encampment almost immediately after setup," York's protesters said in their statement, referring to the ongoing encampment at the University of Toronto.

Similar encampments have popped up on university campuses across Canada in recent months, with several schools considering or taking legal action against protesters.

Last week, police said trespassing laws did not give them the authority to clear an encampment at the University of Toronto, adding they would only do so in an emergency or to enforce a court order.

U of T encampment remains

Police spokesperson Stephanie Sayer says the timing and circumstances at each university are different, and the force must assess every situation before determining what authority it has under the law.

She noted the U of T encampment was established on May 2 and a trespass notice wasn't issued until over three weeks later.

"As time went on, the protestors at the University of Toronto were provided accommodations (such as providing portable toilets and washroom access) and grew in size," she said in a statement.

U of T is seeking an injunction to allow police to clear the site. A hearing is expected later this month at the earliest.

The Instagram account YorkProfs4Encampment issued a statement about York's encampment Thursday, again noting the letter from administration promising dialogue with protesters.

"We are appalled at this flagrant oppression by York University administration. We are horrified that they would show complete disregard for their students," the statement reads.

Abuaziza said Thursday that despite the encampment's removal, protesters will continue to put pressure on the university's administration.

"We will continue to mobilize, we will continue to raise our voices, we will continue to bring awareness," she said.