Vancouver Island University calls on RCMP to remove Palestinian Solidarity Encampment after August 18 deadline
On Thursday August 15, the Canadian Press reported: “Pro-Palestinian protesters who set up an encampment at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, B.C., have been told to pack up within 72 hours. The B.C. Civil Liberties Association says a judge in Vancouver granted an injunction ordering the encampment removed on Thursday, and that no further camps be established in the same area for 150 days.”
VIU says: “The Court’s order mandates that the encampment be removed by 9:30 am on Sunday, August 18th. …We have requested the RCMP’s assistance to support VIU’s enforcement of the order if participants remain after the court-ordered timeframe.”
The campus community radio station CHLY adds: “Judge Stephens rejected VIU’s request to allow police enforcement terms. This would have ordered the RCMP and any other police authority to remove and arrest any person who is knowingly breaking the injunction order. VIU stated in their notice of application that an injunction is needed as ‘the police have thus far been unwilling to assist with the removal of the encampment without an injunction.’”
The Palestinian Solidarity Encampment (PSE) statement on Instagram following the court decision gives no indication that they will leave.
It highlights: “We, the students, remain steadfast in our commitment to the Palestinian cause, our, demands, and our right to protest.”
For further updates from the PSE at VIU, click here.
Image of the encampment.
PBI-Canada continues to call for the abolition of the RCMP C-IRG/CRU and expresses the concern that this controversial unit now under systemic investigation could be used against the Palestinian Solidarity Encampment at Vancouver Island University.
Further reading: 1,358 Palestinian human rights defenders may have been killed over the last 10 months (August 17, 2024).
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