'Lots of craziness': Street parties, closed roads, and labour dispute on tap for Western Homecoming
Thousands of Western University alumni are expected arrive in London in the coming days for this weekend’s 75th annual homecoming.
But with unsanctioned street parties, closed access points to the campus, and an ongoing labour dispute, it could be anything but business as usual.
“…trying to make it seem like things are status quo and continuing on as normal. But they’re not normal,” said CUPE Local 2361 Vice-President Chris Yates.
CUPE says homecoming will not change its plans to picket various entrances to the campus this weekend.
About 330 CUPE workers at Western have been on strike since Aug. 30.
Earlier this month, Western closed its main gates on Richmond Street, along with some on-campus roadways.
“There’s going to be a whole pile of our members out here. We’re going to be making noise, and we’re going to be seen, and we’re going to be handing out information. We want people to be engaged with us,” said Yates.
Some students worry disruption to campus life could become even worse this weekend.
“Many do have empathy for what seem to be unfair working conditions. We don’t appreciate that interferes with our ability to get to class,” said student Sean.
Broughdale Avenue, seen on Sept. 25, 2024. Unsanctioned street parties near Western are expected to take place this weekend. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)
In the meantime, unsanctioned homecoming events are expected to take to the streets as thousands of students fill residential side streets for what many believe is their annual rite of passage for homecoming weekend.
“Lots of craziness this weekend for sure. Lots of students on the street to celebrate homecoming,” said student Sabina, who lives on Broughdale Avenue.
The city of London, the London Police Service, and various other partners have issued a joint statement calling for safety this weekend, and warning students of unsanctioned street parties.
London Police Const. Sandasha Bough said police will have a large presence in both the downtown and off campus neighbourhoods.
“Some of the things that police will be looking for this weekend are individuals who are drinking underage, open liquor, any large unsanctioned gatherings, the noise bylaws as well. And we do want to remind members of the public to keep the roadways clear for emergency services,” said Bough.
Western University provided this statement to CTV News Wednesday evening:
"Homecoming is an exciting time for the university, our alumni and students and we look forward to celebrating this weekend.
We hope that students choose to join with the rest of the Western community to participate in some of our Homecoming events like the student pancake breakfast, football game and student fan festival.
As always, the safety of our students, employees and guests is our top priority and we’ll have teams in place across campus to facilitate a safe and secure experience and to provide supports for students.
Western is part of the collaborative efforts undertaken by City of London’s Unsanctioned Street Party Task Force and we’re encouraging students to be safe and take care of themselves, their friends and their community."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Tensions run high on the Hill as MPs debate second Conservative motion of non-confidence
Members of Parliament debated the second Conservative motion of non-confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government of the week on Thursday, amid simmering tensions.
WATCH LIVE Helene strengthens to a Category 4 hurricane as it nears Florida's Gulf Coast
Helene strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane hours ahead of its expected landfall on Florida's northwest coast Thursday night, and forecasters warned that the enormous storm could create a 'nightmare' surge in coastal areas and bring dangerous winds and rain across much of the southeastern U.S.
Canadian rapper K'naan charged with sexual assault following arrest in Quebec City
Canadian singer K'naan has been charged with sexual assault after being arrested by police in Quebec City.
Cold case arrest: Nunavut RCMP charge man with murder in 1986 death of teenage girl
Mounties in Nunavut have made an arrest in the murder of a 15-year-old girl almost 40 years ago.
Air Canada flight to Toronto diverts due to emergency
An Air Canada flight headed to Toronto from Frankfurt diverted to Edinburgh due to an emergency Thursday, the airline says.
Mounties in B.C. warn 'highly convincing' scammers extorting victims with photos of their homes
Scammers are increasingly using emails to extort money from victims by threatening to reveal compromising photos, videos and personal information to their friends and family members, according to a new warning from Mounties in Metro Vancouver.
'It's a big pizza': Edmonton pizzeria selling pie that can feed up to 60 people
A pizza chain in Edmonton claims to have the world's largest deliverable pizza.
Montana man arrested for intentionally running a motorcycle off the road and killing the driver
A Montana man has been arrested after witnesses said he intentionally and repeatedly swerved his car at three motorcycles in south-central Montana, running one off the road and killing its driver, officials in Carbon County said.
Alabama puts man convicted of killing 3 to death in the country's second nitrogen gas execution
Alabama used nitrogen gas Thursday to execute a man convicted of killing three people in back-to-back workplace shootings, the second time the method that has generated debate about its humaneness has been used in the country