Protesters at pro-Palestinian encampments at the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg are standing firm in their demands and say they will not leave until these demands are met. The encampment at the U of M has been in place for over a week now, with protesters ensuring safety and peace within their group. They are asking the U of M to make a public statement in support of Palestinian rights, divest from companies with ties to Israel, and introduce a course on Palestinian identity. While university leadership has met with the protesters and more meetings are planned, the protesters have made it clear that they will continue their presence on campus until their demands are met.
The protest at the U of M was initially planned to last until Thursday but continues indefinitely, with a statement posted on the university’s website citing the cancellation of a Science Rendezvous event over the weekend due to outside groups planning to protest on campus. At the University of Winnipeg, a similar encampment has been in place since Friday. Communication with university officials has been limited, with protesters noting that their only interaction was regarding the camp not being allowed on university property without approval.
The Jewish community in Manitoba has raised concerns about the protests, with members feeling singled out and discriminated against. Gustavo Zentner, the vice-president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, has highlighted the tensions felt by Jewish community members, including university students and their parents. The community sees flags, chants, and signs that make them feel unwelcome and unsafe, which is contrary to the safe and inclusive environment they expected at universities. The Winnipeg Police Service is monitoring the encampments but does not currently have officers on-site, maintaining open lines of communication with both universities and protest organizers.
The president of the University of Winnipeg Faculty Association (UWFA) has released a statement supporting the students’ right to peaceful protest, emphasizing the importance of allowing students to voice their opinions without fear of reprisal or intimidation. The UWFA supports the right to protest unless there are clear violations of the law. While the university is monitoring the encampment for any impacts on campus operations or safety, protesters at both universities remain steadfast in their resolve to continue their presence until their demands are met. The protesters believe that by staying united and applying pressure, their message will be heard and change will occur.
Both the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg continue to engage with the protesters, with ongoing meetings planned to discuss the demands being made. The protesters reaffirm their commitment to staying on campus until their demands are met, emphasizing the power of community and unity in effecting change. While concerns have been raised by the Jewish community, the protesters maintain their peaceful stance and focus on their goal of advocating for Palestinian rights. The universities and local authorities are monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that dialogue remains open and that all parties involved are heard and respected. The future of the encampments and the resolution of the protesters’ demands remain uncertain, but the determination of the protesters to continue their presence until their goals are achieved is evident.
