Protest rally prompts cancellation of Science Rendezvous at U of M

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A protest rally scheduled for Saturday at the University of Manitoba has forced the cancellation of the Science Rendezvous event at the university.

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In a media release, the university announced the cancellation on Thursday.

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“UM is aware of plans for a protest at the Fort Garry campus on Saturday, May 11,” the release read. “As this may impact access to campus and available parking, organizers have made the difficult decision to cancel Science Rendezvous.

“We extend gratitude to all planners and volunteers and to all the community members who have made this event a success year after year.”

Saturday’s Science Rendezvous event was to have been the culmination of several days of a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) festival. STEM Days were held Wednesday and Thursday at the University of Winnipeg with over 1,000 Grade 3-8 students from nine schools expected to attend.

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According to a post on the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba website, an All Out For Palestine rally in support of the residents of Rafah will be held at noon Saturday at University Centre on the campus near the Duckworth Quadrangle where an protest encampment had been set up since Tuesday.

The encampment was to have ended on Thursday night, but according to a university spokesperson it was still there Friday.

“The encampment remains peaceful,” said the spokesperson in an email on Friday, noting that campus security has been on site to monitor the situation and ensure a safe environment.

“UM supports academic freedom, the right of our entire campus community to engage in freedom of expression and the right to assemble and protest, in accordance with university policies and the law.”

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STEM Days had been held the last two years.

“Planning for the 2025 Science Rendezvous event will begin in the coming months as we remain dedicated to delivering an exceptional community experience,” the university said.

Meanwhile, there had been rumours circulating on social media that the organizers of the encampment had been “expecting heavy Police presence” at 11 p.m. Thursday when the encampment was originally to have concluded. Students for Justice in Palestine which organized the encampment posted on its website to dispel the rumour and says that they had spoken with police and “they are not coming.”

No word on when the encampment would be ending.

gdawkins@postmedia.com

X: @SunGlenDawkins

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