The University of Toronto has put up new fencing along part of its downtown campus and is warning students that encampments on its grounds will not be tolerated following protests in the United States and Canada demanding that educational institutions move out. divest from companies with military ties to Israel.
A letter sent to students by the university’s vice chancellor, Sandy Welsh, on Sunday stated that while the school is committed to free speech and lawful, peaceful protests, it will not tolerate “unauthorized activities” and students who violate their policies will face “consequences.” .”
The school’s response comes after students set up camp on the McGill University campus in Montreal last weekend, calling on the university to divest from companies with ties to Israel. McGill has said the camp violates both school policies and the law.
An hour-long sit-in also took place at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) on Tuesday, prompting the institution to limit access to campus buildings until further notice “due to safety concerns.”
“Any activity conducted by community members or others that pose a risk to the university campus or its members will not be tolerated,” the university said in a written statement. He went on to say that protests are a “routine part of university life,” noting that there has been no impact on programming, classes or events.
Meanwhile, police said they are aware of the sit-in and are at the scene.
At this time, it is unclear if an occupation of the University of Toronto is planned.
“U of T lands and buildings are private property, although the university allows broad public access to them for authorized activities,” Welsh said in the letter. “Unauthorized activities, such as camping or occupying university buildings, are considered trespassing.”
The protests at the University of Toronto and across North America are a direct response to the mass killings and human rights violations of civilians since Israel’s war on Gaza began late last year. Students are calling on their institutions to divest from companies linked to violations of international law.
The UofT Occupy for Palestine group has stated on social media that it is demanding that the university divest its endowment and pension plan from companies that provide military goods or services to the Israeli government. The group says it is also asking the school to publicly reveal the names of all companies it invests in.
Students say they are following similar protest methods that successfully pressured North American universities to divest from several major companies operating in apartheid South Africa, and they hope the same will happen amid the war in Gaza.
An online open letter to the university signed by nearly 2,000 alumni, staff and faculty also echoed the groups’ concerns.
“We unequivocally condemn the university’s suppression of students’ freedom of expression and complete disregard for their well-being,” the open letter states. “We urge University of Toronto leadership to quickly and publicly address student demands, including divesting the university’s financial holdings in companies that support Israeli apartheid.”
Meanwhile, the University of Toronto has confirmed that fences were erected around King’s College Circle on Saturday restricting access to the large lawn in the center of the downtown campus. Signs were also posted saying the venue is temporarily closed for “protection due to concerns about unauthorized activity,” a spokesperson said.
“Any student involved in unauthorized activities or conduct that contravenes university policies or the law may be subject to consequences. We ask that you engage productively with each other to fulfill our mutual obligation to provide a welcoming and safe community in which all members can express themselves,” Welsh’s letter states.
On Monday, Columbia University also stepped up its stance against a camp on its New York campus by ordering students to leave in the afternoon or face suspension.
Students have barricaded themselves in tent encampments at several high-profile American universities, and clashes continue between protesters and administrators at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale and others.
With files from the Canadian Press.