Heavy police presence at McGill University as counter-protesters assemble opposite pro-Palestinian encampment
CTV
A heavy police presence was at McGill University on Thursday morning, as counter-protesters assembled opposite the pro-Palestinian encampment at the school.
A heavy police presence was deployed at McGill University on Thursday as counter-protesters assembled opposite the pro-Palestinian encampment at the school.
The school asked people not to use the central entrance to its downtown campus via the Roddick Gates on Sherbrooke Street.
"Police told McGill security that the SPVM received information about a protest heading to our downtown campus," an internal note from the university states. "The police mobilized officers and have talked to individuals in the encampment and in the protest."
This comes as Jewish groups said Wednesday they planned to launch a counter-protest to the pro-Palestinian encampment at 12:30 p.m. near the Roddick Gates.
"The voices of Israel's detractors have been given space by McGill to have their voices heard and it's time for the Jewish students to raise their voices," said Rabbi Reuben Poupko, who is among the counter-protesters.
A poster shared on social media called on people to "demand that McGill University enforces its policies and to stand against Jew-hatred on campus. Never again is now."
"We're here for safety purposes to make sure that we can intervene if anything is going on," said Montreal police (SPVM) spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant. "Obviously, we want these protests to go really calmly, peacefully."
