VIU encampment continues as university seeks injunction
The committee said student protestors have no choice but to continue fighting in solidarity with Palestine. Photo: Lauryn Mackenzie / CHLY 101.7fm
The VIU Palestine Solidarity Encampment still stands at Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus despite receiving a trespass notice ordering protestors to vacate by 8 a.m. this morning July 15.
CHLY was on scene for a protest organized by the encampment beginning at the 8 a.m. deadline.
Around 50 people were at the protest where the Students for Palestine Committee read a statement outlining their intention to continue with the encampment.
The committee said they are committed to standing in solidarity with Palestine.
“As you know, VIU has threatened our students with RCMP arrests, as well as an injunction and damages against select students,” they said. “The deadline given was an hour ago, July 15, at 8 a.m.”
The committee said VIU is villainizing protestors rather than engaging with them.
They said student protestors have no choice but to continue fighting in solidarity with Palestine.
“Since October of 2023, we have seen the most horrific of acts being done against Palestinians, that that's of men, women and children in ways that are unspeakable,” they said.
The committee said since October they have been calling on the university to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Palestine along with seven other demands.
“We have tried through countless petitions, protests, citizens and emails, and the administration has been ignoring their own students,” they said. “The most appalling part is that our demands are the most basic demands of all and require close to no effort from Vancouver Island University.”
They state their commitment is to justice for Palestinians and said they do not have any interest in what they describe as petty fights with the university’s administration.
In a statement from VIU posted at 4 p.m. on July 15, the university said they have a deep sense of disappointment in reporting that the encampment is still standing.
The encampment is calling on supporters to contact several members of the VIU administration through their office phone numbers. VIU said two of the numbers people are being urged to call are associated with VIU security and are for emergencies only.
VIU stated, “tying up these phone lines unnecessarily puts our community at risk in critical situations that demand immediate attention.” VIU said they ask those contacting the numbers to refrain from doing so unless there is a genuine emergency.
In the statement, VIU said they remain committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment and respect the right to peaceful protest and expression. However, as the encampment continues to have a presence on the campus, VIU said it has to “take further action to uphold the university’s policies and ensure the safety and well-being of our campus community.”
VIU said they have retained external counsel and have commenced a court action in the Supreme Court of British Columbia to seek “injunctive relief and damages from the encampment participants.”
The Notice of Civil Claim filed July 15th, obtained by CHLY, lists eight defendants along with all unknown people operating as the VIU Palestinian Solidarity Encampment. Five of the defendants are listed as VIU students, one is listed as a former student applicant, and two are of unknown identity to the university.
In their statement, VIU said the decision was not made lightly but was necessary to ensure that the university can operate effectively and the “campus remains a safe and welcoming place for all.”
VIU stated they are committed to supporting students and staff and continue to encourage constructive and respectful dialogue.
As of 5 p.m. on July 15, the encampment still stands.
Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.