UQAM to ‘take action’ if encampment keeps blocking access to university

The Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) is warning occupants of the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus grounds that it “will take action” if protesters continue to block its pavilions.

The university says “free movement on campus and access to the pavilions” are being impeded by the protesters, who erected a fenced-off encampment at the university’s science complex on May 12.

“Access is still hampered, despite repeated requests from the university since the camp was set up,” the university said in a news release Saturday morning. “The occupants have been informed that UQAM will take action if these central elements are still not respected.”

UQAM rector Stéphane Pallage met protest organizers at the encampment Friday. The university called the meeting “part of the approach of openness and dialogue” – not a negotiation.

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The university says Pallage told protesters he was concerned about their desire to “barricade their camp and hide behind masks.”

UQAM’s pro-Palestinian encampment followed in the footsteps of McGill and other North American campuses against the backdrop of the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza.

The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage. More than 35,000 Palestinians have died in the subsequent military operation in Gaza.

Activists are calling on UQAM and all Quebec universities to divest from institutions supporting and benefiting from Israel’s actions in Gaza. They also want the province’s post-secondary institutions to disclose any collaborations with Israel; and the abolition of the Quebec-Israel office.

“War and humanity are hardly compatible,” Pallage said. “I understand the anger, indignation, despair and mourning of Palestinians and Israelis. War polarizes society. I do not want it to divide our community. UQAM must remain a place of peace.”