Justice for All Canada Statement In Support of Canadian Student Encampments for Gaza

After a brief period of peaceful demonstrations, concerns arise due to university administrations' warnings of potential forceful removals of encamped students, risking a violent response from law enforcement. Justice For All Canada emphasizes the legitimacy of the students' demands, which align with international legal and ethical standards that universities should honour.

"In recent history, student movements have been pivotal in addressing atrocities, as seen during South Africa's anti-apartheid and anti-Vietnam war movements," said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada. "Student activism plays a crucial role in driving social and political change and effectively challenging oppressive regimes and policies. Universities should listen to their students instead of pushing back against peaceful demonstrations," Ghayyur added.

Divestment is a tactic with historical roots in movements such as the South African anti-apartheid struggle, a legitimate pressure tool for policy change. Palestinian civil society has advocated for the international adoption of divestment strategies since 2005 to enforce Israel's compliance with international law. Justice For All Canada stands with efforts from Canadian faculty associations and student unions joining this call for divestment, aligning with broader civil society movements.

Resolving these encampments must involve divesting from Israel, an apartheid state perpetrating genocide in Gaza. Launched across multiple Canadian cities and globally, the student encampment movement showcases non-violent advocacy for Palestinian rights. Universities should recognize their students’ human rights efforts and act by eliminating their unjustifiable investments with Israel. 

As of May 2nd, students have established encampments across seven Canadian university campuses, reflecting a trend seen in recent US student movements. Their objective is to persist in protest until universities sever ties with companies complicit in Israel’s actions and terminate academic connections with Israeli universities.

Justice For All Canada expresses disappointment with responses from universities like McGill, where President Deep Saini's announced the school would seek police assistance, raising credible concerns of potential police brutality and arbitrary arrests, as is happening at US universities. This action strongly violates advice from the UN Human Rights Chief, who cautioned against heavy-handed police reactions to protests.