CUTV Journalist Pepper Sprayed by Montreal Police at Pro-Palestine Protest

CUTV freelancer Taylor Murray was pepper sprayed by Montreal police while filming at a pro-Palestine protest. This video shows his first-hand experience and coverage of the event.

An autonomous group of students occupied a room in the James Administration building on McGill University's downtown campus on June 6. Students occupied the room in an attempt to escalate their tactics to apply more pressure on McGill to meet the demands of McGill's Gaza Solidarity Encampment. 

June 6th marked the 41st day since McGill's Gaza Solidarity Encampment was set up. Students at the encampment are demanding that McGill University divest their ties in Israeli companies, such as Lockheed Martin, which manufactures F-35 fighter jets for the Israeli military. Students are also asking for McGill to uphold an academic of Israeli institutions and scholars, as well as to disclose all of McGill's ties to Israel.

McGill has recently filed an injunction to the Quebec Superior Court seeking for the encampment to be dismantled. The provisional injunction was recently rejected by the Quebec Superior Court, but the process of the interlocutory injunction continues.

Students at the support rally experienced riot tactics from police officers despite remaining peaceful, including being pepper sprayed, tear gassed and charged by police officers. Fifteen activists were arrested by police for their participation in this rally. Thirteen people were arrested on charges of breaking and entering in relation to the occupation of the James Administration Building. Two other protesters were taken into custody for allegedly obstructing a police officer. Those arrested were released following the signing of an agreement to appear in court.