Montreal police clash with pro-Palestinian protesters downtown, McGill campus partially open

Montreal police (SPVM) had to intervene after several hundred protesters gathered downtown Thursday night – and one arrest was made.

This came a day after the pro-Palestinian camp was dismantled at McGill by the university and a private security team, citing health and safety reasons.

According to the SPVM, protesters gathered at Phillips Square around 8 p.m., before taking to the streets about an hour later.

“Some of them were masked and behaved in a hostile manner. Fireworks were thrown at police officers,” said SPVM spokesperson Véronique Dubuc.

Officers used pepper spray and tear gas to break up the crowd.

“The police intervened and carried out dispersal maneuvers using irritant gas,” said Dubuc, adding that the protest ended around 10:30 p.m.

A 22-year-old man was arrested for obstructing police work and assaulting an officer. He was later released on a promise to appear in court.

McGill University’s pro-Palestinian encampment had been set up for more than two months on the downtown campus in Montreal.

McGill’s downtown campus partially open

Following the dismantlement of the McGill lower field encampment, the downtown campus is partially open on Friday.

“We are working toward a safe and gradual return to usual activities on the downtown campus. As this process will take some time, we thank you for your patience and understanding,” wrote the university on their website.

“To help ensure the continued safety of our community, buildings closed today will remain closed Friday, July 12.”

The following buildings remain closed: Burnside Hall, Dawson Hall, Ferrier, Frank Dawson Adams, James Administration, Leacock, Macdonald Engineering, Macdonald Harrington, McCall MacBain Arts, McConnell Engineering, McLennan Library, Morrice Hall, Otto Maass, Pulp & Paper, Redpath Hall, Redpath Library, Redpath Museum, and Schulich Library.

This means that students who would normally access these buildings should stay home and theu classes would be moved online. The school said it asked instructors to notify their students immediately.

For staff, who can perform their duties remotely, they should work from home. “Those who cannot perform their duties remotely must stay home and will be paid as usual. If you absolutely must come to campus, contact your supervisor,” said the school.

Other downtown buildings for McGill, including daycares, will be open.

“Nonetheless, we ask staff who can perform their duties remotely to work from home [Friday],” added McGill.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews, with added information