Protestors set up tent encampment on campus, Western University says
As protestors set up tent encampments at universities across Canada and the U.S. in support of Palestine, London, Ont.’s Western University finds itself no exception on Wednesday.
According to a news release from Western University, a group of protestors began setting up tents outside Western’s University Community Centre on Wednesday.
The university said they have begun a dialogue with the protestors.
“We have affirmed their right to protest and indicated that we are here to work with them to ensure their activity remains peaceful and lawful,” Western said. “We have also outlined the activities that are not permitted on campus, including erecting tents.”
The protestors’ activity is “proceeding peacefully,” Western added.
Speaking to CTV News London, protestors said they want Western to divest from companies they said are complicit in Israel's assault on Gaza, and demand university leadership denounce Israel's actions.
"This genocide, this war, this massacre, it is taking far too many lives," said Dr. Tarek Loubani, whose wife is currently in Gaza helping with aid efforts.
Organizers are refusing to identify themselves for fear of reprisal from the university, but said students and alumni are involved.
Campus constables are on site where they are monitoring the situation and ensuring the Western community remains safe, and are also consulting London police, which the university said they would do for any unsanctioned gathering.
The university warned however that while dialogue and debate are welcomed and encouraged, including for difficult topics, “Western will not tolerate hate speech.”
Organizers said the encampment will remain until midnight.
"If we don't see any change, if we don't se any divestments, if our voices are not being heard then we might have to run similar events until our demands are met by the university", said one of the encampment organizers.
There has been a wave of similar protests linked to the Israel-Hamas war at university campuses in Canada and the U.S., including at Montreal’s McGill University and the University of Victoria in British Columbia.
— With files from CTV News London's Gerry Dewan
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.