McGill University vandalized overnight
No arrests have been made, police say
A group of people smashed several windows on McGill University's campus Wednesday evening, leaving behind broken glass and the words "free Palestine" written in chalk on the Roddick Gates.
Montreal police received multiple 911 calls around 8:20 p.m. reporting the incident, according to Service de police de la Ville de Montréal spokesperson Caroline Chèvrefils.
She says the vandalism was carried out by a group of people. McGill estimates it was about 40.
The group targeted five buildings, some of which were hosting night classes and exams, said McGill in a statement.
The university says the vandalism was an attempt to "bully" the institution into changing its decision regarding its refusal to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy against Israel.
"The university's position rejecting BDS remains clear and firm," reads the statement.
The vandalism comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants his country to take ownership of the Gaza Strip and redevelop it after Palestinians are displaced elsewhere.
McGill University was the scene of widespread pro-Palestinian protests, taking the form of an encampment from April until July, 2024.
Chèvrefils says the suspects had fled the scene by the time police arrived.
Police will try to access nearby surveillance camera footage throughout the day, to see if it reveals anything about the suspects' identities. No arrests have been made at this time.