Montreal, Canada – In the heart of McGill University’s campus, a young student activist, known as Farrah, sits on a bench and voices her plea for the university to listen. Less than a week ago, a group of students from McGill and other Montreal universities pitched tents on campus to protest Israel’s offensive in Gaza and urge their schools to divest from companies complicit in Israeli abuses. This movement, which gained international attention after similar protests in the US, shows no signs of slowing down as Israel’s actions in Gaza continue.
“We are not alone in this fight,” Farrah, 21, shared with Al Jazeera. “This is a global movement, and we are just one part of it.” The encampment, located just steps away from the university’s main gate, has attracted a steady stream of supporters bringing supplies and words of encouragement. The site is adorned with Palestinian flags, banners, and signs that read “You are funding genocide” and “We will not rest until you divest.”
The visibility of the encampment has sparked strong reactions from both supporters and critics. Pro-Israel politicians and groups have denounced the protesters, while others see the encampment as a powerful symbol of resistance and a call for justice. Barry Eidlin, an associate professor at McGill, noted that the protests have exposed contradictions in political discourse regarding human rights and freedom.
The encampment’s presence has not gone unnoticed by university officials and pro-Israel groups. Calls to disperse the protest have been met with resistance from the demonstrators, who argue that their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must be protected. Despite backlash and attempts to remove the encampment, the protesters remain steadfast in their mission to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza.
The youth-led movement has garnered support from diverse backgrounds and has sparked fear among those who seek to maintain the status quo. As Michelle Hartman, a McGill professor supporting the encampment, stated, the involvement of young people speaking out against the Israeli offensive poses a threat to established political norms. The protests, which have spread like wildfire across the US, Canada, and beyond, are a part of a global movement demanding change and justice for Palestine.