UQAM Gaza Solidarity Encampment: Injunction, Police Brutality and the Threat of a Raid

Université du Québec à Montréal's (UQAM) Gaza Solidarity Encampment is the second encampment to be established in Montreal. Since it's been set up, the encampment has experienced police violence, the threat of a raid and an injunction.

During an action hosted outside of the encampment where protesters intended to pass out fliers, activists were met with police riot tactics, including tear gas and pepper spray. 

At the time of this report, an injunction put forth by UQAM administration was being heard in the courts. Unlike the injunction McGill University has imposed against the McGill Gaza Solidarity Encampment, which seeks to dismantle the encampment, UQAM administration is not looking to close the encampment through the courts. 

Since this report was released, the Quebec Superior Court approved a partial injunction for the encampment. This requires the encampment to be no closer than 3 metres from any UQAM buildings and to remove any blockages from doors to the UQAM building. The Quebec Superior Court did not approve the walls of the encampment to be removed, qualifying it as a partial injunction.

Since this report was released, the encampment has been taken down as a result of UQAM administration voting to uphold an academic boycott of Israel. This means that UQAM will not generate any future ties to Israeli academic institutions. 

The encampment was disassembled by UQAM students on June 5, with an announcement being made in a press conference at the encampment on May 30.

How is this injunction different from McGill’s injunction and what has been the encampment’s recent interactions with police? Watch the full report to learn.