U of W camp dismantled, no sign of U of M protest camp clearing out

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An encampment at the University of Winnipeg (UW) was dismantled Monday, while pro-Palestinian protesters who spent weeks at the site said their work is “far from done.”

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In mid-May, protesters began building an encampment on the grounds of the downtown UW campus as a show of solidarity with Palestinians as the Israel-Hamas War continues, and said at the time it was set up, they would not leave until their “demands” were met by UW officials.

But on Monday protesters began dismantling the camp, leaving a statement posted at the site that read, “Today we took down the camp, we would have removed the barricades, but UW did not engage in any of our demands, including the demand that they not persecute us for protesting, so we had no assurances of safety. We cared for the land as best we can.”

The statement also apologized to those who will now be tasked with dismantling and removing the barricade, and said that although protesters are leaving the encampment their work is “far from done.”

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In a statement, a UW spokesperson said UW was not given any notice about the camp ending before it was dismantled on Monday, and there was zero communication between the two parties leading up to the dismantling.

“Thank you to our University community for your patience through this challenging situation,” UW said. “We are currently removing the pallets and other debris that was left. Once that is complete, we will begin work to repair the lawn, with the aim of having it ready when students arrive for the fall term in September.”

While the encampment has come to an end at the downtown campus, one continues at the University of Manitoba (UM) campus in Fort Garry being run by a group calling themselves Students for Justice in Palestine. (SJP).

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Since the UM encampment began, UM officials have been posting updates on their discussions with the protesters and their progress, as they hope to see the encampment come down.

“Recently, UM leadership had our second meeting with student representatives of the encampment,” UM officials said in a June 11 update. “We responded to their concerns and outlined our commitments to the student body and the broader community.

“That response has been provided in writing to the encampment’s student representatives. It reiterates UM’s commitments to anti-racism, to responsible investments, to academic freedom and collegial governance, to supports for all students, and to ultimately lead this university in a way that fosters a more respectful campus.”

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The update also said that UM officials have been encouraging protesters to take the camp down and protest in more “meaningful” ways.

“We also encouraged students to dismantle the encampment and continue their advocacy in other ways. There are many meaningful ways to contribute to campus dialogue and effect change that do not disrupt the functioning of the university,” the update reads.

UM also said in a previous statement they expect all protests on campus to be peaceful and follow current university guidelines, or protestors could face repercussions.

“As with all events on our campuses, the expectation is that this will remain a safe and respectful environment,” UM said. “If a situation escalates beyond the scope of Security Services authority, we will work with the Winnipeg Police Service to ensure a safe environment.

“Any person involved in conduct that contravenes university policies or the law, including speech advocating or glorifying intimidation, hate, or violence against specific individuals or groups, will be subject to consequences in accordance with university policy and the law.”

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