Trudeau says universities are for ‘freedom of expression’, but people must feel safe amid pro-Palestinian protests

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says universities are places of free speech and debate, but everyone should feel safe on campus, adding that it is up to universities and local police forces to manage the pro-Palestinian protests that have intensified in the whole country.

Trudeau declined Friday to say whether he supports the college camps, saying he has repeatedly weighed in on the anguish, anger and fear felt by both Jewish and Palestinian people following the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel. and Israel’s subsequent retaliation. forces in Gaza.

“Universities are places where freedom of expression, freedom of ideas, the challenge of debate, of dialogue, of discussion about how to shape the world, how to see the world, how to leave after university or college and leave the world. world, they are a central part of what campuses are about,” Trudeau said in an announcement about housing in Hamilton on Friday.

“At the same time, we have to make sure that, as part of that, everyone can feel safe on campus, whether they’re a Jewish student, a Palestinian, whether they have strong feelings on one side or the other, and about that, we have to trust that both universities will properly manage their campuses and that the local police of jurisdiction will do their job to ensure that everyone is safe.”

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Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also said Friday that she understands that people want to express themselves about events in the Middle East and that they have the right to assemble as long as it is done without hate. She said the University of Toronto, where a protest began early Thursday morning, is a private space and it is up to the university to “work out what their security agreement is with the police.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office declined to comment. But a spokesperson for Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop issued a statement.

“As they would with any other illegal act, we expect institutions to work with police and campus security to address any incidents of hate and racism, unauthorized encampments and occupations, and all other forms of discrimination at their institutions,” he said. Liz Tuomi.

Amnesty International Canada on Friday urged universities, government and law enforcement to “ensure the safe protection of people’s right to protest at campus demonstrations and counter-protests emerging across the country.”

At the University of Toronto, protesters are demanding that the school divest from companies linked to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.

Those demands are similar to those filed by camp organizers at McGill University, where protesters have been on campus since Saturday, and at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria, where camps began this week. A wave of protests has also spread to dozens of campuses in the United States and has included violent clashes and police actions.

The encampment at U of T had grown to about 60 tents by Friday, and organizers estimated that about 120 people spent the night on the grounds of King’s College Circle in the heart of the St. George campus.

By late Thursday night, a rally in support of the camp had grown to nearly a thousand people as the 10 p.m. deadline to leave campus approached. But shortly before that, the university announced it would allow protesters to stay if their activities remained peaceful.

Erin Mackey, a University of Toronto student and protest organizer, said the night was calm and protesters were not interrupted.

“We are here demanding that the University of Toronto get rid of Israeli apartheid and its complicity in the ongoing genocide and occupation of Palestine,” Ms. Mackey said. “We have an ethical investment policy. All we ask is that you adhere to that policy.”

In an April letter to protest organizers, U of T President Meric Gertler said the university’s policy on divestment states that it will not consider restrictions on its investments that require taking sides on an issue subject to ongoing academic debate.

Hillel, a group that advocates for Jewish students on campus, said it was concerned that the camp had contributed to rising tensions and called on the university to follow its policies. He said that after the deadline to authorize the protest was allowed to pass, Jewish students were left wondering “what it will take for the university to act.”

Alejandro Paz, an anthropology professor and member of the Jewish Professors Network, said the university was wise not to use police force to try to disperse the camp. He said administrators should celebrate the commitment their students show in taking control of their education.

“For Israelis and Palestinians to have a future together, we need more students like this who are willing to challenge the restrictions placed on Palestinian freedom,” Professor Paz said.

With a report by Oliver Moore