University of Toronto seeking injunction to end encampment by pro-Palestinian protesters

The president of the University of Toronto has announced the school’s lawyers are formally seeking an injunction order to end an encampment by pro-Palestinian protesters at King’s College Circle.

Meric Gertler said in a statement issued Monday morning that the university’s lawyers “served documents seeking an injunction order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and asked the court for an expedited case conference for scheduling.”

“In addition to pursuing this legal avenue to return King’s College Circle to the University community, we continue to engage in discussions with students representing those in the encampment,” the statement said.

“We held a long and productive meeting yesterday and are meeting again today. We remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement and bring the unauthorized encampment to an end.”

On Friday, demonstrators were given an 8 a.m. Monday deadline to leave the encampment, but they said they didn’t plan on leaving until the University of Toronto complies with their demands.

The two sides met again on Sunday as the protesters presented a counter-offer to school administrators with an encampment spokesperson expressing hope it will encourage the university to speedily divest itself of investments in companies profiting from Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

The protesters, who set up tents on campus weeks ago, remained at the site Monday morning and were joined by faculty and labour groups for a rally outside the nearby Convocation Hall.

Demonstrators held up flags and huddled under umbrellas as a drizzle turned to heavier rain during the rally.

Sara Rasikh, one of the spokespeople for the demonstration, told the crowd that protesters tried for months to get the university to listen to their demands, but only received acknowledgment after setting up the encampment.

“The reason for this is because the people’s strength is threatening to them. It is threatening to the legitimacy of this institution,” Rasikh said Monday. 

“U of T continues to propose committees but we want commitments. We wants divestment. We want disclosure. And we want it now.”

In the notice of application, it is stated that respondents must remove all structures, tents, encampments, and personal property placed or created or imposed by them at King’s College Circle no later than 24 hours after receiving the noice, and shall permit the applicant, in this case the university, to have “full use and enjoyment of its lands, premises and facilities at Front Campus and King’s College Circle”.

The order also states that those who have received the order must not only remove all property, but also must vacate the space, and that the order authorizes police to be involved in removal of anyone violating terms.

“An Order authorizing the Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, and any other police authority (the “Police”), to arrest and remove persons, objects and structures who/which violate the terms of the Order,” read the notice of application.

With files from The Canadian Press