VIU hands trespass notice to campus Pro-Palestine encampment
The trespass notice comes 71 days after the encampment was first formed on May 1. Photo: Lauryn Mackenzie / CHLY 101.7fm
Vancouver Island University has delivered a trespass notice to the Students for Palestine Committee demanding that protestors vacate and dismantle the VIU Palestine Solidarity Encampment by 8 a.m. on Monday, July 15.
This comes 71 days after the encampment was set up on May 1.
CHLY reached out to VIU for comment but was referred to an update from the university posted on July 11.
In the update, VIU stated they had delivered a trespass notice on July 11 to those at the encampment. The statement says the VIU community has faced unprecedented challenges since its start.
It says that VIU had been hopeful the situation could be resolved between the student protestors and the university but “It has become evident that it is not realistic to continue to anticipate that the encampment can be resolved in this way.” As well, the university states it “must prioritize the safety and peace of all persons on campus.”
Similar to the trespass notice that VIU issued on May 2, the July 11 notice outlines conduct prohibited on the university campus.
Both notices outline that erecting tents or other temporary shelters is prohibited, as is overnight camping, vandalism, and; interference, harassment or intimidation of anyone in the university community or disrupting university operations is prohibited.
It says that the encampment participants have escalated the severity of their activities.
It points to the disruption of a Finance, Audit, and Facilities Committee meeting of the Board of Governors on May 23 that was relocated, as well as occupations of the Provost’s office by protesters on June 11 and of the campus store on June 14.
It also describes an incident that occurred on June 28 where the university says approximately 25 protesters occupied the Student Affairs Building and disrupted an exam, blocked entry doors, and damaged flags in the International Centre. This led to an RCMP presence on campus.
On June 29, VIU stated the Human Resource office was vandalized and on July 10, encampment participants vandalized university property by placing posters on walls with permanent adhesive and also vandalized the campus Starbucks sign with red paint.
VIU states “These incidents have not only disrupted university operations but have also placed a financial burden on our institution and compromised the safety and security of our campus community.”
VIU states that the notice is authorized under British Columbia’s Trespass Act, and if anyone remains in the encampment after 8 a.m. on July 15 the university will “be forced to take all legal steps necessary to remove them.”
The update also states that if the encampment is not vacated by the set time, VIU will seek damages from the encampment participants through court action. It notes the recent injunction that the Ontario Superior Court granted the University of Toronto. The injunction gave authority for Toronto Police to arrest and remove anyone still at the encampment following the date to be vacant.
VIU stated in the update they have retained external counsel to file this court action.
In the update, VIU says that the encampment’s presence and recent actions prevent the school from maintaining the inclusivity and safety it promises to uphold.
VIU finished off the update by stating that if the encampment is gone by the set date, VIU will remain willing to abide by the terms it set out in a recent settlement proposal which includes not taking any disciplinary action against VIU students or staff for their participation in the encampment.
These terms would also see VIU create an investment working group and committee to develop the terms of reference for an ongoing committee tasked with advising on ethical and sustainable investments and sourcing at the university. VIU would also form a committee to review policies and procedures related to protest activity and security protocols.
VIU states they have reminded those at the encampment that lawful, safe and peaceful protests can still happen at VIU without any structures, tents and overnight camping after the encampment is gone.
CHLY reached out to the VIU Palestine Solidarity Encampment for comment and they referred our inquiry to a statement posted July 12 in response to the trespass notice.
It states the encampment has “consistently maintained a peaceful and safe environment.” They also state that the escalation taken in their actions are legitimate forms of protest that have been in response to VIU’s actions.
The encampment statement also lists several incidents they say protesters have faced, including constant surveillance by security both in person and on social media. They say students of colour and visible minorities have been targeted with misconduct notices or intimidation tactics.
They also say plainclothes security guards have followed VIU students and staff while also refusing to show ID upon request. As well they note surveillance by plainclothes security taking pictures and videos of students at the encampment, during protests, and following protesters to their vehicles to take photos of them and their vehicles.
The encampment states that their primary goal has always been to decamp as soon as their demands are met.
They state the encampment was only started in response to VIU ignoring their concerns and requests for dialogue since October of last year. They say that while the encampment has had meetings with VIU in October, May and June, VIU has failed in their commitment to follow-up meetings since June.
The encampment states that while VIU said in a June 19 update that the top priority for the school is ensuring the safety and security of the VIU community, including student protests, this is not true as VIU has threatened police presence that the encampment says could put students at risk.
As well they state that two protestors received misconduct notices from the school for participating in the occupation of the Student Affairs Building on June 28, which the encampment says contradicts President Deborah Saucier’s May 31 promise to not punish anyone involved in the encampment.
In the July 12th statement the Students for Palestine Committee notes they will remain committed to reaching a resolution with the university. They say that while their demands have been clear, VIU’s proposals for an agreement are incomplete. They state the last communication they received from the university on July 12 “stands firm on [VIU’s] decision to not engage peacefully with students and to take decisions putting students at risk.”
They finish the statement by saying they “urge VIU to follow the example set by other universities that have approached similar situations with dialogue and constructive solutions. Rather than putting students at risk and spending unnecessary money on legal actions.”
The Students for Palestine Committee has not confirmed whether or not they will be removing their encampment by the July 15 deadline.
Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.