Dear members of the McGill community,
You have likely already heard of a troubling incident that took place on our downtown campus yesterday. I write today to provide further information.
Protesters forced their way into the James administration building on the downtown campus of McGill University and occupied it.
The Montreal police (SPVM) mobilized and made multiple arrests to remove the protesters. McGill thanks the police for their expertise in handling the situation.
During the occupation, protesters blockaded several entry doors, using chains or furniture, and attempted to remove inner doors to access offices. They vandalized parts of the exterior and interior of the building and locked themselves in one room and damaged furniture.
Protesters also attempted to build a barricade outside the building, but police quickly dismantled it. Some staff were forced to shelter in place while those occupying the building banged on the doors and yelled threats. Staff working in the building reported that they heard chants of “violence now.”
McGill supports the right to freedom of expression within the limits recognized by law. We strongly condemn the use of intimidating, aggressive, harassing or illegal tactics such as those seen yesterday.
This troubling event is the latest escalation in a series of incidents that have occurred since April 27, when the encampment first appeared on McGill’s lower field.
- Protesters hung with a noose an effigy of an Israeli politician on the Roddick Gates of McGill’s downtown campus. The figure was wearing a striped garment reminiscent of the uniforms worn by the millions of Jews and other marginalized people who suffered and died in concentration camps during World War II.
- Masked protesters targeted the personal residences of senior management on more than one occasion.
- The offices of a university team were also targeted. A table was set up containing rotten food with plates labelled with each team member’s name and red handprints, suggesting blood.
- There were also verbal altercations between protesters and students and their families who came to take pictures on campus after the convocation ceremony.
- Graffiti has been repeatedly spray-painted on the exterior and interior walls of university buildings.
None of this is peaceful protesting; it is designed to threaten, coerce and scare people. It is completely unacceptable.
The McGill administration has repeatedly tried to engage in dialogue with McGill students in the encampment. Last week, it reached out to re-open discussions after encampment leaders walked away from the table.
In many other institutions, we’ve seen encampment leaders work with campus administration to find some common ground that represents positive change, despite disagreements. Yet, McGill’s offer, which is comparable to that made by other universities who have reached resolutions, has been rejected by the encampment on our campus.
As the building is cleaned, and as police conduct their investigations, I ask that all James Building staff work from home today.
I want to add that I am deeply disappointed to have to write this message to you today. We are seeing tactics that go far beyond the right to protest, and that infringe squarely – and worryingly – on the rights of our community members to a peaceful environment, free from intimidation and from harassment. We remain fully committed to ensuring the full application of our policies and the law on our campuses, and we will continue to use all available means to ensure this happens.
Sincerely,
Deep Saini
President and Vice-Chancellor