Police Pepper Spray Antisemitic Protesters at McGill University, 15 Arrested

Police in Montreal say 15 individuals were arrested Thursday after a protest was violently dispersed at McGill University. The arrests occurred after activists stormed the main administration building prompting officers in riot gear to deploy chemical irritants.

Since late April, pro-Palestinian demonstrators have been camping on McGill’s lower field, demanding that the university withdraw its investments in Israel’s military and cut ties with Israeli academic institutions.

Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights. McGill, a student group involved in the encampment, announced on social media that “an autonomous group of students” had occupied the James Administration Building.

Approximately 100 protestors had congregated in front of the building, a few hundred metres from the main camping site.

According to a student group official, the blockade at the administration building was in reaction to a global appeal to exacerbate the situation in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where Israel is fighting Hamas.

Pro-Palestinian protesters: Montreal Gazette Image

“Genocide made by McGill”

Rama Al Malah, who claims she was not involved in the occupation of the administration building, stated that the embargo was also due to McGill’s persistent role in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

“We watched as our students (were) brutalized and arrested on the inside and students essentially refused to leave their ground,” Al Malah stated. “They remained in front of the administration building to support their comrades, as well as our requests.

“Police met this with tear gas and also by knocking people down to the ground, so physical assaults as well.”

Protesters stood in front of the building’s entrance, brandishing banners that read, “Genocide made by McGill.”

Two banners, one stating “You could have divested 41 days ago,” hung from a third-floor window. Officers were visible inside the building shortly after the protest began, and one of them removed a flag.

Police policemen wearing helmets and face masks stood on either side of the building, watching over the yelling demonstrators. Officers were reportedly blocking many additional exits to the downtown campus.

About two hours after the protest began, about 20 officers confronted McGill University demonstrators to the right of the administrative building, the majority of whom screamed “Shame, Shame.”

Montreal riot-squad officers pepper spray protestors: Montreal Gazette Image

Police Disperse McGill University Antisemitic Protesters

Then, police began to battle with members of the throng and used chemical irritants to disperse them, sending others fleeing and protecting their faces and eyes.

However, this did not succeed, as demonstrators regrouped shortly after and returned to confront police, yelling, “Why are you in riot gear? “There is no violence here.”

Police in riot gear forcibly removed demonstrators from the administration building, pushing them back to the lower field encampment.

Following a roughly 45-minute standoff, police used batons and shields to physically remove demonstrators out from the McGill University building. Officers then formed a line to block entry to the building, while demonstrators gathered farther away near the tents that had been placed up on the lower field since late April.

A woman using a loudspeaker instructed the throng of around 200, “If you’re injured, go to camp; otherwise, move to the street.”

Even though it was raining, some demonstrators congregated on Sherbrooke Street.

According to an early Friday morning update from the SPVM, operations ended around 10:30 Thursday night, with 13 persons detained for breaking and entering and two more arrested for disrupting police activity.

Antisemitism at McGill University has been a long-standing source of concern. Recently, incidents of hate speech and prejudice against Jewish students have surfaced. Students reported feeling uncomfortable and targeted within their college community.

The university administration has come under fire for failing to handle these concerns properly or quickly. Jewish student organizations have advocated for increased protections and stronger reactions to antisemitic acts.

Many believe that instructors and students are unaware of or insensitive to Jewish culture and history. As a result, Jewish students at McGill feel increasingly isolated and marginalized. Despite some efforts to address these challenges, much more work has to be done to create a truly inclusive and safe atmosphere.

The situation highlights the importance of continued education and dialogue regarding antisemitism and discrimination.

Source: Yahoo News, Montreal Gazette