UBC protesters stockpile food, tents, bathrooms and have no plans to leave

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In just two days, pro-Palestinian activists have transformed a sports field in the heart of the University of British Columbia campus into a bustling protest camp with tables full of food, a sea of ​​tents and even portable toilets.

There is a mini library where people can borrow books to read while at camp, an art station, a “medical zone” with first aid supplies, and tables. donations including sleeping bags and a wide range of food, including options for people with allergies and dietary restrictions.

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In short, this is not a protest that looks like it will end anytime soon.

“We are planning to stay until the university has met our demands,” said Sam, a UBC student who did not want to give her last name. “For now we remain strong and plan to move forward.”

About 50 people slept in tents on Monday night, and many more gathered in the sun on Tuesday to support the movement’s demands that UBC end its ties to any company involved in supporting the war. in Gaza and to boycott any further research with Israeli universities. .

Organizers say people inside the camp include students from several post-secondary institutions, including UBC, SFU and Emily Carr, as well as non-students, who are organizing a peaceful demonstration.

On Tuesday night, UBC spokesperson Matthew Ramsey said “the university was monitoring the situation at MacInnes Field and is asking everyone to remain safe and respectful.”

However, he added that there are concerns arising from the site, such as the removal of fences and roadside barricades, the removal of furniture from university buildings and the “possible theft” of a Canadian flag from a UBC flagpole.

“Individuals may be subject to the university’s disciplinary processes or other appropriate measures under the university’s discrimination policy or student code of conduct,” Ramsey said.

At similar protests at McGill in Montreal and Columbia in New York, Jewish students said they felt unsafe near the fields and were targets of racist comments.

Hanging from the makeshift walls of the UBC camp are banners with messages such as “Free Palestine” and “End the siege of Gaza now.” “Israel is committing genocide.”

Hillel BC, which promotes Jewish life on the UBC campus, declined to be interviewed Tuesday but said in an Instagram post that it is monitoring the local protest.

“We have been in contact with the university administration to express our concerns and request measures to ensure that the ongoing protests remain peaceful and respectful,” he said. mail saying.

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Daniel Sax stood out among the other protesters because of the logo on his sweatshirt: “Jews for the liberation of Palestine.” The Jewish UBC student supports the camp because Israel’s actions in Gaza do not represent his values, he said, and insisted that he has not encountered any racism.

“I haven’t heard any incidents of anti-Semitism,” said Sax, a member of Independent Jewish Voices. “I feel safe here, I feel comfortable here.”

Tensions increased at McGill on Tuesday after the university asked police for help clearing its pro-Palestinian camp.

When RCMP in BC were asked if there were any plans to encourage UBC protesters to leave, Sgt. Kris Clark said the Mounties were only monitoring the situation for public safety reasons and directed all questions to the university.

Sam said RCMP officers have been visiting the site, but have not asked anyone to leave. UBC has not spoken to his group either, he said, but outdoor electrical outlets near the camp were cut off Monday night, which protesters interpreted as a tactic to try to get them to leave.

Leonard Schein, a member of the UBC board of governors, had not been at the protest when Postmedia contacted him on Tuesday. However, he believes that everyone has the right to express their opinion about Israel, as long as they do not personally target the Jewish people.

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“As long as it doesn’t cross the line and become discriminatory towards the people of Canada,” Schein said. “We don’t want to hate each other because of the skin color we’re born with or the religion we’re born with.”

He said he was not aware of any immediate plans for the board to meet to discuss the protest.

Naisha Khan, one of the student organizers, insisted that protesters are told that discrimination is not tolerated in the camp. That included Monday night, when a counterprotest, with about 40 people waving Israeli flags, took place in front of the protest camp.

“One of the rules of the camp is not to interact with counter-protesters and agitators because the focus is not what is happening here in the camp, the focus is the genocide and the ongoing occupation in Gaza,” he said.

Khan said his group had no plans “at this time” to expand the demonstration to campus buildings, which was done in Columbia, where the university has threatened to expel Pro-Palestinian protesters.

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